A Few Personal Favorite
Christmas Music CDs

I started this page to recommend Christmas music that doesn't top the charts, but perhaps should.

I have no financial or other relationship with these artists.

Lessons and Carols. Songs of Christmas from the Celtic and American traditions as performed at Christ Church, Ballston Spa, New York. A spirited collection of holiday songs that hail from off the beaten path. These melodies cull from Celtic, African-American, and Appalachian traditions. Fiddle, pennywhistle, bodhran, banjo, pump organ, hammered dulcimer, piano, guitar, and a plethora of harmonious vocals share time resulting in glorious and gorgeous melodies.

Philip Lester, Carols of the Nativity is a collection of Classical guitar and acoustic guitar instrumentals. The CD contains elegant, tasteful arrangements of 28 holiday favorites. In the sometimes too-stressed holiday season, Mr. Lester's arrangements provide a quiet shelter of thoughtful beauty. A personal favorite.  This link opens at Mr. Lester's website, which includes program notes and a Christmas carol quiz.

And check out Phil Mitchell's newest CD, Morning Star (link opens in a new window at Philip's site). When Philip sent me an announcement of this new CD, it included a note about "A Full Of Life" which read: "One day I woke up and birds were so loud that I wanted to tell them to shut up, when I realized I was the only one not singing."  Good insight ... and great variety here, both instrumentals and vocals. Enjoy. I did!  Morning Star is also available at Amazon.com.

Valarie Alexandra Valois, Joy To The World and Deck The Halls.  Pianist Valarie Alexandra Valois has played all over the world, to critical and public acclaim throughout her career. Great piano; lush arrangements without being pretentious.  Available from Emusic.

The following links open at Amazon.com or Emusic.com
with whom I have an affiliate relationship.

Cynthia Lawing and Lewis Deaton, Christmas Cookies, A Holiday Celebration (2003). Lawing (Piano) and Deaton (Organ) combine to create 16 original instrumental duets.  A combination that works well to create some beautiful holiday listening.  Plus: 10 great holiday cookie recipes with each CD! A personal favorite.  Available from Emusic.

Charlie Byrd, Charlie Byrd Christmas Album. Byrd gives a set of holiday songs in his signature treatment, with respectful, modest, introspective acoustic arrangements.  Exceptionally well done, as always.  Available from Emusic. Also available from Amazon.com is Christmas Carols for Solo Guitar.

A Cappella Angels. An A Cappella Christmas Rich gospel harmonies from this Broadway trio with an occasional solo instrumental.  Available from Emusic.

Michael Crawford. A Christmas Album. More a concert than a random collection of carols, the lush orchestration and formal choir invokes the joyful spirit of the season.

Tim Thompson, Tim Thompson Christmas. An acoustic guitar collection of some of your favorite Christmas tunes by Nashville producer and session player Tim Thompson. Fingerstyle instrumental arrangements by Tim are a personal favorite. His unique guitar style hints of some of his heroes: Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Chet Atkins, and others.  Available from Emusic.

Karen Stachel. And of the Son A Christmas album of jazz flute.  Breathtaking.  Available from Emusic.

Shannon McCarthy, Behold That Star. An inspirational Christmas collection for voice, harp and piano. New arrangements of well-loved carols, spirituals and hidden jewels of Christmas."This CD should be a part of everybody's Christmas celebration." Delicious!  Available from Emusic.

First Call. An Evening in December. Always a part of my Christmas celebrations, featuring lush instrumentalities and exquisite harmonies. Also available is An Evening in December, Vol. 2, which I just received. More great music from this a cappella group. Excellent arrangements - unexpected but delightful vocal chording. Both recommended!

Richard Foltz, A Songwriter's Christmas. These songs provide a loving, sometimes bittersweet view of Christmas through childhood memories, long-lasting friendships and a continuing search for the meaning of the season. From the opening carol "Ring Bells" with its traditional harmonies to the lush, joyous finale "Christmas Will Start", the album showcases a multi-talented line-up of singer/songwriters performing Foltz's holiday songs.  Available from Emusic.

Wilkerson & Mikolajewski. A Christmas Card of Carols Vocals and piano accompaniment. Excellent!  Available from Emusic.

Rose Bonanza, Merry Christmas Baby. Classic favorites plus four Rose Bonanza originals performed in Rose's unique style. Great light jazz with her special touch.  Available from Emusic.

George Winston. December Beautiful piano settings of old and new carols.

More Favorites:

Music Page One / Music Page Two / Books  / DVDs

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