This was the Christmas mix I prepared this year, spread across two CDs. The “A” side is (slightly) smoother, the B disk jumpier and rowdier, especially towards the end. If you don’t know Ed Harcourt’s version of “In the Bleak Midwinter,” it gives you a totally different sense of his other work; you might think he’s like Five for Fighting, but he’s really like Randy Newman or Eels. Likewise, Alison Krauss’ silly and sensual “Shimmy Down the Chimney” is a far cry from her Americana croonings.
CHRISTMAS SONGS: Disc A
1. Dianne Reeves: Christmas Time Is Here
2. Charles Brown: Merry Christmas, Baby
3. The Irish Tenors: Joy To The World
4. James Brown: Let’s Make Christmas Mean Something This Year Parts 1 & 2
5. Eddie Cantor: The Only Thing I Want For Christmas (Is Just To Keep The Things That I’ve Got)
6. Bing Crosby & David Bowie: Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy
7. KT Tunstall: 2000 Miles
8. Evan Dando: Silent Night
9. Ella Fitzgerald: O Holy Night
10. Al Green: I’ll Be Home For Christmas
11. Brook Benton: Soul Santa
12. Mary Chapin Carpenter: Christmas Time in the City
13. Santa Claws & the Naughty But Nice Orchestra: Hell’s Bells (Tribute to AC/DC)
14. The Three Tenors: Winter Wonderland
15. Victoria Williams: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
16. Ella Fitzgerald: O Come All Ye Faithful
17. Faith & The Muse: A Winter Wassail
18. The Fleshtones: Canadian Christmas
CHRISTMAS SONGS: Disc B
1. Sammy Davis Jr.: Christmas Time All Over The World
2. Marvin Gaye: Purple Snowflakes
3. Big Dee Irwin: I Wish You A Merry Christmas
4. Twistin’ Kings: Xmas Twist
5. Rufus Wainwright: Spotlight On Christmas
6. The Chipmunks: Hang up Your Stocking
7. Eddie Dunstedter: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!/Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
8. Alison Krauss: Shimmy Down The Chimney
9. The Fleshtones: You’re All I Want For Christmas
10. John Cale: Child’s Christmas in Wales
11. The Temptations: Christmas Everyday
12. Piney Gir: A Cheery Christmas
13. The Winter Sounds: McAdenville (Christmastown)
14. Eddie Rabbitt: Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
15. Suzy Bogguss: Two-Step ‘Round The Christmas Tree
16. Yo Yo Yo Kids: North Pole Homies
17. Bad Religion: Silent Night
18. Ed Harcourt: In The Bleak Midwinter
19. The Butties: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
20. KT Tunstall: Mele Kalikimaka (Christmas In Hawaii)