My Christmas Playlist 2024
When I was growing up, music was always a big part of our family Christmas celebrations, and at my house it still is. Each year, I tried to find a new song or piece of music to add to my list of Christmas favourites, regardless of style. Internet streaming has given us access to virtually every piece of music ever written, and for that I am extremely grateful. Here are my top twelve Christmas favourites for 2024. Some are quite old recordings, some are fairly new. They have all been on my Christmas playlist for some time. I could have listed many more. The other tunes on my playlist are no less special, no less loved, but we are accustomed to year-end “top ten” lists, so a dozen already seems like a bonus. I hope you enjoy them. Here goes - in no particular order:
Chet Atkins - “Jingle Bell Rock”
This was number one on the family Christmas playlist in the 1960’s. We’re all familiar with the great original 1957 version of this song, recorded by Bobby Helms, featuring Hank Garland on guitar. This instrumental, performed by Chet Atkins, accompanied by the A-list of Nashville session musicians, is a gem, recorded at the old RCA Studio B (now a museum on Nashville’s Music Row) where so many hits by Elvis, The Everly Brothers and dozens of others were recorded. It’s a fantastic sounding record, demonstrating the warmth and clarity of the old Studio B, with its classic microphones and analogue mixing console. The feel created by Buddy Harmon on drums and Bob Moore on upright bass swings gently but insistently, with enough restraint to allow Chet’s licks to glide effortlessly over it, like melted butter. If you want a perfect example of the classic “Nashville Sound” of the 50’s and 60’s, this is it.
2. Bing Crosby - “Jingle Bells”
It’s hard to pick a favourite from Bing’s 1945 album, “White Christmas.” There’s not a bad track on it. The recording quality is a little dated, of course. Back then, everything was in mono, and there was no such thing as auto-tuned vocals, drum machines, or even over-dubbing - the process by which some instruments are recorded, and other instruments or vocals are added later. This was all recorded “live” in the studio - the rhythm section and horns, Bing’s lead vocal, and the fantastic Andrews sisters supplying harmony vocals. The limitations of the studio meant that everything had to be “right” - or everybody had to do it again. Bing was not one for multiple takes. Years later, when a young producer pointed out a “pitchy” note to Bing, he simply said, “I want my fans to know I’m not perfect. Next song!”
As far as this track goes, everything is perfect. The band swings hard, playing full-out, with complete abandon. Bing earns the accolade awarded him by Jazz critic Gary Giddons as “the first white man with soul” demonstrating incredibly flexible phrasing and downright bluesy vocal chops, and the Andrews sisters tight, familial jazz harmonies plant us firmly in the swing era of the second World War. A favourite of my parent’s youth, and mine.
3. Nat King Cole - “The Christmas Song”
This is one that everyone knows, of course. On this list, I hoped to avoid the obvious choices, but this one had to stay, it’s just that good. Prior to being a singing star and television personality, Nat King Cole was regarded as an exceptional jazz pianist, as leader of The Nat King Cole Trio. “The Christmas Song,” or “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire,” as many people refer to it, was written by Mel Torme, another great singer, often referred to as “the Velvet Fog,” for his smooth delivery. I don’t think Mel was too unhappy when Mr. Cole had a hit with his song, though. My old pal, Michael McGreevey tells a wonderful story about Mel. As I remember it, Mike was visiting Mel’s daughter at her dad’s home one day when Mel walked through the room in his bathrobe on his way to the front door to collect his mail. The sound of an envelope being torn open was heard. (It happened to be Mel’s songwriter royalties check). This sound was followed by Mel exclaiming “Holy Sh*t!” I guess it was a pretty good check.
4. B.B. King - “Please Come Home For Christmas”
One of my major musical influences, B.B. never disappoints. This song, originally written and recorded by blues pianist Charles Brown, is a great tune that has been covered many times. If you don’t know the original, you may be familiar with the Eagles or Bon Jovi versions. For me, the mark of a great artist is that he or she is instantly recognisable within the first few notes. B.B.’s voice and guitar playing certainly fall into that category.
5. James Taylor - “In The Bleak Midwinter”
“James Taylor At Christmas” is an album that is played every year at my house. Released in 2006, I love every track. The album runs the gamut from folky to jazzy - with arrangements and piano by Dave Grusin - and includes a downright stankin' funky version of “Jingle Bells,” as well as a delightful take on “Baby it’s Cold Outside” - a duet with Natalie Cole, for some additional holiday spice. “In The Bleak Midwinter” is my wife Marion’s favourite. It’s an old traditional English carol, and this arrangement sits firmly in Taylor’s wheelhouse, so solidly he might have written it.
6. Joni Mitchell - “River”
While technically not "about" Christmas, “River” is a song that sums up the feeling of winter as well as any: “It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees…” Joni, who at the time lived in Southern California, agonises over lost love, and longs to escape to a snowy vision of her Saskatchewan youth, wishing for a “river (she) could skate away on.” Incidentally, one-time boyfriend James Taylor’s cover of Joni’s song is a standout track on his Christmas album, too.
7. The Pogues - “Fairytale Of New York”
This song juxtaposes a beautiful, lilting, Irish-as-the-blarney-stone melody with a tough as nails story about an Irish couple who have crossed the Atlantic for the bright lights of Broadway. Instead, the singer finds himself in the drunk tank on Christmas eve, being serenaded with “Galway Bay” by the NYPD choir. He’s a “bum” and a “punk,” she’s “an old slut on junk,” and she’s giving him as good as she gets here. It’s certainly not “Frosty The Snowman,” but a stellar piece of work, with brilliantly rendered vocals by the late, great, Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl.
8. Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - “Christmas All Over Again”
Here’s where the fun begins. Tom Petty was asked by producer Jimmy Iovine to record a Christmas song for a compilation album. According to an interview with Petty, he didn’t want to record someone else’s song, and the only Christmas album he could relate to was Phil Spector’s “A Christmas Gift For You,” a 1963 classic featuring Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans. So Tom, a’la Spector, assembled multiple drummers, bass players, guitarists and keyboardists, and with Iovine and Jeff Lynne of ELO fame sharing production duties, they assembled their own “Wall Of Sound.” With Petty’s snarling vocal, and Mike Campbell’s chiming Rickenbacker 12-string, they created a 1992 classic.
9. The Kinks - “Father Christmas”
Here’s an uptempo rocker from one of the great bands of the British 60’s and 70’s. You may remember 60’s hits like “You Really Got Me,” or the 70’s “Lola.” The Kinks always had a basic, raw sound with driving guitars and heavy drums, right from the outset. There is debate over who first used the sound of a distorted electric guitar. It’s often said to have been the Kink’s lead guitarist Dave Davies, who allegedly slashed his speaker cone with a razor to achieve the desired effect. Their attack dog musical approach aside, the real brilliance of the Kink’s records lies in lead singer Ray Davies’s lyrics, often filled with wry social commentary and sarcasm. In “Father Christmas,” a department store Santa is accosted by a group of young street thugs, demanding “Father Christmas, give us some money!” and “Give all the toys to the little rich boys.”
10. Bob Dylan - “Must Be Christmas”
Bob Dylan is an absolute force of nature. With a career that includes chart hits in six decades, he first appeared as a 60’s folk singer in the tradition of Woody Guthrie, then blossomed into a poet - some have said a prophet - with “protest” songs embodying anti-war and social justice sentiments. Later, he eschewed the “prophet” role some would cast him in, and never once succumbed to being pigeonholed or typecast. In 1965, he famously appeared at the Newport Folk festival backed by an electric band, causing an uproar, disenchanting many fans, but ultimately winning millions more - and creating, perhaps unintentionally, a new genre of music which would come to be called “folk rock.” Always a chameleon, Dylan has floated through many styles and changes over the years, following his muse and occasionally frustrating critics and fans alike. One might say people have taken him too seriously. What is often missed, I think, by critics and fans alike, is Dylan’s sense of humour. While his commitment to his art remains steadfast, one should not miss when analysing - or simply enjoying his work - that he is having fun, and having fun with us. His “Christmas In The Heart” CD has been a favourite of mine since it was released in 2009. Say what you will - that Dylan isn’t a great singer, or harmonica player, or guitarist - it doesn’t matter. His lyrics - and his delivery - authentic right down to the bone - transcend “normal” criteria for critique. On this album, Dylan wisely uses his live band, a highly skilled bunch, seemingly capable of producing music in any style. On this CD, they sound like they might just as easily have been accompanying Hank Williams. Bob’s vocals are delivered in the gruff, whiskey-soaked sound of the “older” Dylan. It is the voice of experience, and one believes he knows from what he speaks. I chose “Must Be Christmas” off this CD because, as a joyous, uptempo polka tune, it’s the least “expected” of anything on the album, and truly great fun to listen to. To me, fun is what the holidays are all about. Polka, anyone?
11. Slade - “Merry Xmas Everybody”
I’m don’t know that my last two offerings get much Christmas airplay in the U.S., but they are certainly staples of the U.K.’s Christmas music scene.This one from Slade, one of Britain’s quintessential 70’s “power pop” bands, will get you dancing in your seat with this Marshall amp-driven rocker. There’s no need to say more. Roll back the rug, everybody on the dance floor. Turn it up loud, and join in the chorus. “IT’S CHRISTMAS!’’ Noddy Holder famously screams. Indeed, Noddy.
12. Wizzard - “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”
Birmingham musician Roy Wood, a founding member of the band The Move - and ELO with Jeff Lynne - released this, another paean to the Phil Spector “Wall Of Sound,” in December, 1973. It’s been played every year since, and was only kept from being Britain’s “Christmas number one” in 1974 by Slade’s newly released “Merry Xmas Everybody.” In 2012, “I Wish It Could Be Christmas” was voted Britain’s second favourite Christmas song, after “Fairytale In New York” (see above). Interestingly, the first sound heard on the record isn’t sleigh bells, but the “cha-ching” of a shop cash register.
Well that’s it, my list for 2024. I hope I’ve introduced you to a few new gems, and possibly shed some new light on old favourites. Whatever you’re celebrating this time of year, I wish you health, happiness, prosperity and a cracking New Year!
Cheers to all,
JW
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