For many people Christmas can only be right with the right soundtrack. This will be different for each of us, but we each have a song or songs that carry us back to childhood – or that remind us of a more recent Christmas with fondness.
During the run-up to this once-in-a-lifetime (we hope) Christmas, it has been tricky to feel in the zone. Putting on that soundtrack helps.
My go-to albums are compiled of records I associate with my childhood, with young adulthood and more recent additions. Some of them you can get anywhere, and others would be hard to come by even in this digital age.
I stay open and hopeful for new songs or artists each December, but there is a lot of Christmas mush out there that I’m glad I don’t have to listen to every year – that’s a matter of personal taste though.
This year, I’m adding Garth Brooks’ Belleau Wood to my fond memories. I heard (digitally) both my brother and my sister share this one this year, and as the Christmas truce of 1914 has always pulled on my heartstrings, it has resonated – particularly in this unusual year.
I couldn’t find a Garth Brooks version that I wanted to share, but here’s a nice cover.
Other records I love that will be tougher to find are House of Doc’s “Cradle Carol”, Haskell and the Cleavers’ Christmas record, and “Count Your Blessings”, which is a live record made in 1994 featuring Jane Siberry, Holly Cole, among others (and a FABULOUS piano player named Tim Ray).
Then there are the more popular albums – most notably “Christmas with Boney M.” I dare you to listen to that record without smiling.
My bloggy Christmas gift to you will be the rabbit hole you’ll fall into by following these links. Most of these are a couple of years old so you might have seen them before, but here they are again.
Piano Guys – Angels We Have Heard On High
Home Free – Do You Hear What I Hear
Pentatonix – Mary Did You Know
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, friends. May your homes be filled with love, light, and laughter, and may this unusual season make you memories for future years when we can once again be together in community to celebrate.
With warmth and affection,
Sue
