THe Christmas Edition

Christmas music is a lot like eggnog, in that most people have strong opinions about it! We surveyed The Avenue team to find out what’s playing this season at their homes. And of course, you can find a wide variety of holiday music on The Avenue to take you through the holidays.

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Rob Moore, your weeknight host and station president, offered up three albums as favorites for the holiday season. First up, “In Search of Angels,” a compilation from Windham Hill. “Simply beautiful music. It’s from a 1994 documentary of the same name, and it’s tough to find.” Indeed, a quick search on Amazon produced only two used copies available for $21. You’ll hear cuts from the album on The Avenue including Star in the East by the St. Olaf Choir (Link)

Also on Rob’s holiday playlist are “We Three Kings,” album by The Roches (sample here) and Annie Lennox’s “A Christmas Cornucopia,” (sample here)

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Steve March Tormé lists two albums by a cappella group, Take 6 as favorites – “He is Christmas” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Take a listen to their version of Winter Wonderland here: youtu.be/Ax-Ap3-FEkE

James Taylor’s “At Christmas” album also is a favorite – here’s JT’s take on Mel Tormé’s “The Christmas Song,” https://youtu.be/nXyJ7tdwREs

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The first Christmas album that comes to mind for Amanda Sharon? “I’ve always liked “Jingle All the Way” by the Crash Test Dummies!” Here’s their version of White Christmas.

“I also love Ella Fitzgerald’s “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas,” and of course I love “Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt.” Clearly Amanda’s taste in Christmas music is as diverse as The Avenue’s playlist! Listen to Ella and Eartha at these links.

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Ann Koenig, The Avenue’s Community Relations Director, lists Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby,” as a favorite as well, but also loves the less traditional take on the song by Evercleer: LINK

Ann adds, “It’s just not Christmas for me until I hear Darlene Love belting out Christmas songs from “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector.” LINK

“And I’ve recently discovered Christmas albums by Dan Rodriguez, who does a beautiful version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and local artist, Amos Pitsch’s “Yule,” LINK

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Tammy Rupiper, Avenue accountant, considers classics like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” “Elvis’s Christmas Album” and Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper” as must-have listening for the holidays. “These albums form the soundtrack to my childhood Christmases.”

“Bing Crosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka” always made me dream of spending Christmas in Hawaii,” Tammy adds. Who could argue with that? LINK

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And Mary Rudzinski, VP of Sponsorship, shares Andrea Bocelli’s “Sacred Arias” and “My Christmas” albums as her favorites. “His version of “Silent Night” is simply amazing!” LINK

For “old school” Christmas charm, Mary loves Johnny Mathis. “His voice is so unique, and the songs are so nostalgic.” LINK

And finally, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” by Mariah Carey. “Every year we crank this one up and dance around the living room! We’ve even played this song at all our kids’ weddings – and the weddings were in summer!” LINK

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