From: bwood@nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov (William Wood)
Subject: Re: Recommendations for Christmas Music?
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 17:48:00 GMT

In article <1992Nov9.085617.6251@CSD-NewsHost.Stanford.EDU>, flournoy@Xenon.Stanford.EDU (Raymond Suke Flournoy) writes...
> 
>  This might not be the best group to ask this question, since I'm not
>speaking specifically about CW artists, but.... here goes.
> 
>  What Christmas albums do people recommend?  I am a big Christmas
>music nut, and have already begun spinning my discs this year.  I also
>went out and bought a few new ones, and am considering buying some
>more.  So I wanted to hear people's recommendations.
> 
>  I just purchased the Emmylou Harris disc "Light of the Stable".  It
>says that it contains "previously released material", but it seems to
>be packaged new for this year.  It has some very nice tracks on it,
>including "Christmas Time's A-Coming" and "Beautiful Star of
>Bethlehem", and some beautiful, but simple, treatments of traditional
>carols:  "Away in a Manger", "The First Noel".  Even her version of
>"Little Drummer Boy" (a song I normally don't care for) is delicate
>and moving.  I recommend it.
> 
>  I have Amy Grant's old Christmas album, and very much like the
>coherence there is in the tracks on the disc.  With the possible
>exception of an unfortunate version of "Sleigh Ride", every song on
>the album is very nice.  The album opens with "Tender Tennessee
>Chrismas", a song which she wrote, and which Alabama also recorded, if
>I'm not mistaken.  I've heard the 'good buzz' on her new album which
>is going around, so I am thinking of checking that out.
> 
>  I also have Nat King Cole's Christmas album, which I recommend, as
>well as Johnny Mathis' "Christmas with Johnny Mathis".  (Johnny's
>"Give me Your Love for Christmas" isn't as good, though.)  And of
>course, Elvis has a classic Christmas disc, although I can't remember
>the name of the one which I recommend.  (Although, probably any with
>"Blue Christmas" and "Santa Bring my Baby Back to Me" will do.)
> 
>  Well, there are others which I like, but if anyone else has a
>passion for Christmas albums, I would love to hear from you.
> 
>  Thanks!
> 
> 
>--Raymond Flournoy
>======================================================================
>flournoy@cs.stanford.edu         "For reasons I cannot explain
>Computer Science Dept.            There's some part of me wants to see
>Stanford University, CA           Graceland"               -- P. Simon


>I think one of the 'all-time' favorites of mine, has and always will
be - "Jim Reeves" - Christmas album.  Oh Holy Night, Silent Night,
Blue Christmas, are some of the songs performed by Jim's velvet voice.
My all time favorite on this album is called: "An old Christmas card".
Some of the words are:  "There's an old Christmas card, in an old 
dusty trunk.  And it brings back sweet memories dear to me. Though 
it's faded and worn, it's a precious as the morn.  It's a memory, of
an old Christmas card."  There's also a recitation in the middle, 
where he say's:  "You know, I don't know why I get to feelin' 
sentimental about this time, every year!  But, every time I get a 
Chrismas card, I somehow can't help remenicing about the very first 
Christmas that you and I spent together.  What a beautiful Christmas
card you gave me that year!  Why I know you must have looked through 
thousands of cards to find that wonderful poem, that 'still' brings
a tear to my eye...."

I know it 'reads' alittle "drooly" and "slobbery".  If you've ever
heard this piece, I know you appreciate what quality 'actually'
went into this song.  If you have'nt,  please get it, and make this
Christmas a special tradition...one that has been for my family for
several decades...thanks to Jim!   Damn shame Patsy never got the 
chance to lend her talent to a Christmas album..let alone, a gospel
album.  Forgive all of my inside thoughts!...I used to be a AM DJ in
D.C.!  Best wishes to all of you this holiday season!
Newsgroups: rec.music.country.western