Nothing helps us savor the Christmas season like the sounds of holiday cheer coming from the speakers in our home or car. You would be hard pressed to find us listening to anything else during the month of December. We have a diverse musical library that we try to add to every year.
This year my husband started listening to the songs of the season early due to the November release of Christmas: God with Us by one of his favorite artists Jeremy Camp. We have been enjoying this album the last few weeks. It includes familiar classics as well as an original song, God with Us, written by Brown Bannister, Ben Shive and Jeremy Camp. The new song's lyrics speak to the heart of Christmas and will be sung by our family for years to come. Songs like Let It Snow and Jungle Bell Rock gets a fun rock makeover that makes you want to get us and dance while "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" reminds me of hot cocoa and a warm fire.
On of our favorites is Christmas In Diverse City. In his unique sound and style, TobyMac features Christmas music mixing rock, pop, hip-hop, soul and urban rhythms. This CD is a Christmas dance party waiting to happen. The first half of the album Toby gives new flavor to songs you have heard before such as The First Noel,O Come, All Ye Faithful, and Little Drummer Boy. The second half of the album showcases fresh sound from artists I was excited to hear for the first time. Our kids' favorite, which they demanded stay on repeat last season, was "Birth of Love" by Superherose.
If you prefer to cuddle up on the couch and unwind from a long day listening to the sultry sounds of Jazz you will love Christmas Songs by Diana Krall. She is one of my and my husband's favorite singers from back in the day when we lived in a tiny NYC apartment and had dinner parties. Together with the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Diana Krall gives us a fun, playful and sophisticated album. It is a perfect addition to any "grown-up" party rotation or to be shared alone with that special someone.
The rest of my seasonal music collection includes limited release albums from Pottery Barn and Old Navy. I am a sucker for compilations that include the likes of great musicians and singers like Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and B.B. King. Thumbing through my CD wallet you'll also find Home For Christmas by Amy Grant, First Christmas by Bebe and Cece Winans, and even Alvin and the Chipmunks' Christmas With The Chipmunks (2010).
Today we are giving away former American Idol contestant Mandisa's updated christmas album It's Christmas which includes three new recordings and two new original cuts It's Christmas and Somebody's Angle. My favorite on this one is What Christmas Means to Me which reminds me of the Motown hits I grew up listening to.
