Whoa… This is impressive.

The Civil Wars, via CBC Q.

Other mixtape choices here.

.

Yo La Tengo have been performing for more than 20 years. While they haven’t achieved the popular acclaim of their contemporaries the Flaming Lips, they get a lot of credit for outlasting pretty much everyone else.

From Minnesota Public Radio.

You can see the album version here.

Their new acoustic EP (Sing Sing Sessions) is pretty great.

I had no idea that Dickens created about 13,000 characters in his life time. That’s impressive.

This was a strange (and sad) Christmas break, but still looking forward to what 2012 will bring. For now, this song should work as a good pick me up.

It’s time to finally start thinking about being Christmas-y!

And of course, a big part of that involves firing up the old christmas tune mixes. Of course, herein lies the challenge: there’s so much holiday music out there, that it can get a little overwhelming at times, which is why I thought a meme of some sort might be in order. Hopefully, we can revisit some old favourites, or maybe just as important, discover some new gems (or at least new to the reader).

Anyway, without further ado, here are my top five (in no particular order):

1. Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Louis Jordon and Ella Fitzgerald.

In general, I’m a sucker for the oldies and this song in particular is one of my favourites. There’s quite a few versions of this song out there (perhaps of recent note is the one you hear in the movie “Elf” by Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel), but this one with Louis Jordon and Ella Fitzgerald is as close to perfection as you can get. Probably doesn’t hurt that Hannah, my daughter, and I also do a mean version of this song (that is when I don’t screw up the piano bit).

– – –

2. O Tannenbaum – Vince Guaraldi Trio.

Do I really have to defend why I chose this song? I mean… it is the (almost) devine trifecta of a traditional carol, translated with the piano sensibilities of the almighty Vince Guaraldi, and with that warm fuzzy spiritual feeling you get when you watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” As close to miraculous as you can get in my opinion.

– – –

3. Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues & Kirsty McColl

Too often, Christmas songs are said to have too little heart. Sure, they can make you feel Christmasy, but there’s something to be said for a song that can make you feel Christmasy as well as a little something more real. Chalk it up to the Pogues (with the always slurring Shane MacGowan) and Kristy McColl to do yuletide with a sad narrative and a bit of edge (I mean who else can get away with the many harsh words in the song?) And what about that brilliant swell of a melody?

– – –

4. Winter Wonderland – Ray Charles

I happen to be one of those people who think that Ray Charles could of done anything, and it would still sound better than 99.999% of everything else out there. I was lucky enough to catch him live in concert, and even though he was pushing 70, it was incredible. My favourite part was actually where, all of sudden, in the middle of a song, someone handed him a saxophone, and he got up and just started wailing on that thing. Very cool – but not as cool as this song.

– – –

5. Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid

I’m going to guess that I might get a little flack for choosing this song. It’s not quite as stately as the other ones I’ve chosen, but hey, I grew up in the 80’s and what can I say? To be honest, I still get tingles when I hear Sting sing the part where he says the word “sting” (I use to be a huge Police fan). Plus, look at the hair! Bonus points if you can identify everyone.

– – –

Anyway, there you have it: my top 5. I’m sure I’ve missed many others in my rush to get this post out, but if you’ve got a top 5 of your own, I would love to read about it.

Currently the song my daughter Hannah is digging the most.

Although the studio version is also pretty good, it’s this acoustic version that I think is especially good.

Via Goldspot.net.

Check out their website!

Via YouTube.

Via CBCQ.