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Any Major Christmas Carols Vol. 2

December 16th, 2024 Leave a comment Go to comments

Only a week or so to go! So here’s a second mix of traditional carols interpreted by artists of popular music. Some of them are reinterpretations, but I don’t think any of them are irreverent, so you can play this mix safely in the company of mother and the vicar.

They might look askance at what Lou Rawls is doing with O Come All Ye Faithful, but they must be enchanted by Mariah Carey’s magnificent version of O Holy Night, and by the time Sinatra croons It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, all will be right with the world.

As in Any Major Christmas Carols Vol. 1, this mix includes songs that come from the world of spirituals rather than traditional church hymns. The basic rule applies: If the song refers to the religious element of the feast of Christmas, it’s a Christmas carol.

When I posted the Any Major Christmas Pop Vol. 3 mix in late November, I meant to include a link to a song titled It’s Too Early To Celebrate Christmas by Tom X. Chao, a timely reminder that “when you start too early and become breathless, you invite madness into your soul”. Keep that one for next year, when you see the first Santas going up in October.

But now, with a week to go, get that Christmas vibe going! And don’t forget, Christmas doesn’t end when you’ve disposed of all the expensive wrapping paper in the bin, but is only the beginning of the Twelve Days of Christmas!

As always, this mix is timed to fit on a standard CD-R and includes home-dingdonged covers. PW in comments, where you are invited to leave a nice message.

With that, I wish you a peaceful and joyful Christmas.

1. Lou Rawls – Oh Come All Ye Faithful (2004)
2. Vanessa Williams feat. Brian McKnight – Joy To The World (2004)
3. Mariah Carey – O Holy Night (1994)
4. Mary Chapin Carpenter – Once In Royal David’s City (2008)
5. Dolly Parton – O Little Town Of Bethlehem (1990)
6. Emmylou Harris – Silent Night (1979)
7. Allison Crowe – Wassail Song (2014)
8. Ramsey Lewis – Hark The Herald Angels Sing (1993)
9. Harry Belafonte – The Son Of Mary (What Child Is This) (1958)
10. Frank Sinatra – It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (1957)
11. Ella Fitzgerald – Angels We Have Heard On High (1967)
12. Lonnie Donegan – Virgin Mary (1960)
13. Bobby Darin – Mary Where Is Your Baby (1960)
14. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Go Tell It On The Mountain (1970)
15. Al Jarreau – Carol Of The Bells (2008)
16. Roberta Flack – We Three Kings Of Orient Are (1997)
17. James Taylor – In The Bleak Midwinter (2006)
18. Michael McDonald – Wexford Carol (2009)
19. Sufjan Stevens – Away In A Manger (2005)
20. Alison Moyet – Coventry Carol (1987)
21. Bruce Cockburn – God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (1993)
22. Bob Dylan – The First Noel (2009)
23. The Irish Rovers – I Saw Three Ships (2011)

GET IT!

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Comments (8) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback

amdwhah

December 16th, 2024 at 09:23 | #1

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PW = amdwhah
Ernie (Not Bert)

December 16th, 2024 at 14:38 | #2

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Thanks for the Christmas joy! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Blue Carbuncle

December 23rd, 2024 at 15:43 | #3

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Thank you so much for all the tunes over the years. Hoping you have the very best & merriest Christmas.
D

December 24th, 2024 at 17:16 | #4

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Thanks for a great site to visit and learn from. Happy Holidays to you.
LilWil

December 31st, 2024 at 21:02 | #5

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Thanks so much for the joy! I get the idea you’re a Believer. Even if not, I find this obscure song very moving, don’t think you’ve ever listed it: “The Star Carol”, by Simon and Garfunkel. It was included on a various artists Christmas album from the Sixties, my Mom & Dad had a bunch off them in which popular artists of the day had songs from both the Sacred and the Secular. Another was a heartfelt one by Bobby Darin, “Christmas Auld Lang Syne”. When I hear it now I get a lump in my throat while missing my parents. I’m glad I was exposed to their music as well as my own Top 40 of the Seventies. I wish you & yours a very Happy 2025!
amdwhah

January 2nd, 2025 at 22:09 | #6

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“The Star Carol” is very beautiful indeed. I had no idea that S&G sang it.
Tom X. Chao

May 6th, 2025 at 07:59 | #7

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I just noticed the mention! Thanks very much. Hope your readers will remember “It’s Too Early to Celebrate Christmas” next fall. Best, Tom
Tom X. Chao

November 6th, 2025 at 08:19 | #8

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@Tom X. Chao
Hello, dropping in to mention “It’s Too Early to Celebrate Christmas” again, as it is about that time of year. It is still available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc, for all to enjoy. Thanks!