Comments on: Season of Lists: 10 Christmas Songs that Do Not Involve Josh Groban

By: lucinda

lucinda — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:52:48 +0000

BTW: Stevens’ worst Christmas was when his father burned everybody’s presents in a drunken rage, angered over some remark. Guess he takes the prize for very worst Christmas ever.

By: lucinda

lucinda — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:45:59 +0000

Is this the year everyone is admitting how awful Christmases can be? Sufjan Stevens’ “That Was the Worst Christmas Ever” album is actually very mellow acoustic guitar with cleverly uncliched angst-filled lyrics.

By: L.A. Resident

L.A. Resident — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:13:31 +0000

I noticed a few ommisions after I saw a list somewhere else.

Burl Ives – A Holly Jolly Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aNUm1ePMDs

Harry Simeone Chorale – The Little Drummer Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJJKZJm7-F0

Brenda Lee – Rockin Around The Christmas Tree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMn2r_DQ4CE

By: Mavis Beacon

Mavis Beacon — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:22:01 +0000

Just for the record, I wasn’t citing that link approvingly.

By: Celeste Fremon

Celeste Fremon — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:26:59 +0000

Good ones, Lucinda!

I ran across Christmas in Hollis also, and nearly put it up as one of my 10. It’s actually pretty cool. (And I did discover Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto in the last few hours after reg reminded us to look to James Brown for good Christmas items.)

But I’m going to go find the Hawaiian stuff, the White Stripes piece, Stevie Wonder, and the rest. Thanks!

By: lucinda

lucinda — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:47:20 +0000

Depeche Mode’s Hawaiian Christmas Album is sung and performed by a band of 4 Hawaiians, put out by Tiki Man Records under their name though, lovely Hawaiian versions of Silent Night and O Little Town of Bethlehem. (Still prefer Heilige Nacht.)

Found a good one by the younger gen: “Candy Cane Children,” by the White Stripes from 5 years ago.

A nice classic: “Some Day at Christmas,” Stevie Wonder.

Here’s a couple for Celeste: James Brown’s “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” and from that group known for its sweetness and charm, Run-DMC, “Christmas in Hollis.”

For L A Res, besides the great John Denver classic, there’s the Ramones “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”

A few funny-awful ones: Madonna’s “Santa Baby” from ‘87 and softee Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkin singing “Christmastime” to all the kiddies. My favorite worst: No Doubt’s “Oi to the World.” (I’ll get that for my in-laws.)

By: Celeste Fremon

Celeste Fremon — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:05:18 +0000

Oops. Cross post. I agree, Woody.

By: Celeste Fremon

Celeste Fremon — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:04:35 +0000

For the record, I don’t really dislike Josh Groban (whose name I have now managed to spell correctly). Obviously the man has a lovely voice. It’s just that his phrasing is a bit homogenized, and bloodless for my taste.

By: Woody

Woody — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:34:06 +0000

I finally looked up Josh Groban and listened to some of his Christmas music. LINK: Josh Groban Christmas Look, Groban sings decently, but there are people in my church choir who sing just as well as he. Simon Cowell would likely bounce him from American Idol competition. What's the big deal?

By: lucinda

lucinda — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:38:52 +0000

Well, Woody, that’s definitely a Christmas Song “that does not involve Josh Groben” so I guess you’re on topic. (We still haven’t determined that there are any actual Christmas songs that involve Josh Groben, though. He and James Blunt seem to me like nice nerdy boys who someone’s mother or maybe a tween would mistake as cute — I’m still lookin’ and will report.)

Nice playing, reg and ric, didn’t know you could keep a tune.