Beginning back in the early 70's, while in college, I began listening to Christmas music early each October. Recently it's become more like early November, but the concept is the same. I hate to waste perfectly good music and lyrics by avoiding them until a few days before the day that's been designated to help us remember that God became flesh and lived among us (and has also become freighted with expectations of family reunions and snow).
My taste in music, as well as most other areas of life, can best be described as eclectic. This year, for instance, I purchased Bela Fleck's Christmas album, "Jingle All the Way" and Sara Grove's Christmas album, "O Holy Night." Beyond the obvious difference in titles, Fleck's album includes Tuvan throat singing (Look it up. Hint: Tuvans live in Siberia, just north of Mongolia) and some fascinating combinations of instruments. Grove's album is mellow and features a wonderful reading of the Christmas story by small children. Only 4 of the 17 cuts on Fleck's album are overtly Christian while only 1 cut on Grove's album is not focused on the significance of Christ's coming ("Toy Packaging" is the title and it is a charming ode to the frustration of trying to get gifts out of the hard plastic cases where they have been sealed into an almost impenetrable cocoon.) Fleck's album contains a masterful rendition of Bach's Christmas Oratorio featuring English Horn, violin and banjo. Yes, banjo. Grove's album ends with a haunting, aching rendition of "Breath of Heaven" which can bring you to tears.
So, instead of fruitcake this year, you can get me iTunes cards so I can increase my repertoire since I currently only have 415 Christmas songs for a total of 23.9 hours of Christmas music. :)
7 comments:
What a shameless request. Can I ask the same from you and your readers too? iTunes gift cards? I have been waiting to purchase Sara Grove's. I've already decided that's my new one for the year. I have listened to pieces of Casting Crowns christmas album too, and they have a couple killer songs on it. I think I'm going to have to go with those two. Happy Singing, amybelle
Shameless is my middle name. Or was that Seamus? Anyway, what's the point of having a widely-read blog if you can't drop subtle hints? I love Sara's new settings for even some of the classic songs like O Holy Night. It will become 1 more of the several Christmas albums I have that I can play all year long. Will we see ya'll over the Holidays?
Tuvans live in Tuva, which is in Siberia just north of Mongolia. Tuva (also spelled Tyva) is a small republic in the Russian Federation.
I stand corrected. My sources had them in Mongolia
I've changed the original blog to reflect the correct info on the Tuvans
You'll see us for Thanksgiving. We are on our way down Friday. Trev is coming down after school next Tues. As for Christmas, WL Xmas eve so we're having everyone come up here.
I love the languid tones of the sarah/sara clan. Groves, Evans, Harmer, MC, and one more that won't come to mind right now - I am not sure I'll feel much like Christmas but I am totally with you on listening to them all year round. When I lead worship I often throw in a Christmas tune just to make sure everyone's paying attention in the 'off season' ;)
Post a Comment