Remember way back when we talked about mom’s Christmas records? They all seemed to be sponsored by gas stations and featured the greatest Christmas songs as performed by the greatest artists to do so. I felt the need to get these songs for our home.
Do you think it is a coincidence that this post should land here? As I write this, it is the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the kids, home from college put up our Christmas tree last night.
I’m sure I mentioned it but when I was a kid, it seemed that we’d get out mom’s Christmas albums on the day after Halloween and start ramping up that Christmas spirit. As an adult, I’ve pushed that back until after Thanksgiving. Every year I create a auto playlist in my medial library that cycles through all of the Christmas music that I have accumulated. There is a lot of it but none of the albums present capture that old nostalgic Christmas feeling like the 2 Disc Time-Life Christmas.
All of the songs on this 2 disc set are lifted from those great performances of the 1940’s and 1950’s with a few more modern pieces mixed in. I bought mine by phoning in during an infomercial back in the early 1990’s. That concept seems to dated that I can’t help but chuckle in my head.
Memory, music and association is a pretty powerful elixir. As I listen to the delightful music of Christmas in this collection, a lifetime of special Christmas feelings and memories flash in my mind. The Christmas songs like 12 Days of Christmas or Deck The Halls make me think of all those Christmas eves spent with the Burns Clan. The sheer madness of presents and joyful play. The more religious songs like O Little Town Of Bethlehem and Silent Night remind me fondly of Christmas Candlelight service in the quiet snow covered town of Saxton’s River, Vermont. O Holy Night byPerry Como is the most moving and spiritual Christmas song I have ever had the privilege to hear and it has been my favorite as long as I can remember.
Since the original release of this very special collection of Christmas songs, I have seen numerous alternate versions and volumes. I’m sure that they are good but this collection of 45 songs on 2 discs, to me, is the essence of Christmas. I can’t imagine the season without it.
Bing Crosby – White Christmas
Roger Whittaker – 12 Days Of Christmas
Perry Como – O Holy Night
Fred Waring – Twas The Night Before Christmas
Ed Ames – Away In A Manger
Jim Reeves – Silent Night
Perry Como – Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
Bing Crosby – Do You Hear What I Hear?
Burl Ives – Holly Jolly Christmas
Perry Como – It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas