SAXTON B. LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
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Keeping you up-to-date on what's happening at your library. We invite you to join in the conversation!
NOVEMBER 30, 2009
Sleigh Bells Ring...

Are you listening?

Yes, I am! Thanksgiving's over so tis the season for marathon listening to my collection of jingle bells, deck the halls, white Christmas and the myriad of cd's that only seem appropriate to play this time of year. I must have over one hundred cd's that fit the bill. Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah or just plain ol' winter hummings; I've got them. I'm not much of a winter outdoors person, so listening to this music, wrapped in a snuggly afghan with a cup of hot chocolate is pure heaven.

I have my favorites, both albums and songs and if I hear something new that I like I just have to have it. One year my husband and I were at a holiday concert at Longwood Gardens in Delaware and I heard a choir sing the beautiful O Sifuni Mungu (All Creatures of Our God and King) and fell in love with this soulful song. I finally was able to locate one version by Saint Olaf's Choir on their album, Choral Tapestry. Definitely Christian/gospel it starts slow and then gets into the rhythm Lifts me up every time I hear it. Not strictly Christmas it seems to pop up as a song at holiday concerts due to its theme of praise. Doing a quick search on the net today, I see there are more versions available now. You can hear it on youtube.com if interested.

From the lighthearted tunes like these two by Brenda Lee, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, and Jingle Bell Rock, to the more traditional songs like Light One Candle and O Come, O Come Emmanuel on Peter, Paul and Mary's A Holiday Celebration, this is my month to listen.

How about you? Do you have a favorite seasonal song or album, one you just have to listen to this time of year? I'd love to hear. Maybe I'll find a new gem to add to my collection.

Saxton B. has lots of good music to put you in the spirit. Here's a few to make your days merry and bright...


Time-Life Treasur of Christmas ~ Various


Charlie Brown Christmas ~ VInce Guaraldi


Candles, Snow and Mistletoe ~ Sharon, Lois & Bram


Christmas in Connecticut ~ Featuring Local Connecticut Artists

 

 

Add a comment  (8 comments) posted by CarolK

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Comments

Megan Q. said, on Nov. 30 at 11:14AM
When I was little my sister and I listened to two Christmas tapes over and over - the Supremes and Nat King Cole. As much as I don't want to publicly admit this, the only Christmas CD I own now is Mariah Carey's Christmas. I love it - so good!

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CarolK said, on Nov. 30 at 4:53PM
Mariah Carey...don't have that one. Can't wait to hear it!

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L. Williams said, on Nov. 30 at 6:03PM
Indeed I do! Enchantment: A Magical Christmas by David Arkenstone. Especially We Three Kings.

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CarolK said, on Dec. 2 at 6:14PM
Arkenstone is new to me and from the sample tracks I can see why you love this. It will be in our collection soon...thanks for sharing!

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bas bleu said, on Dec. 2 at 6:34PM
It isn't the Christmas season in our home without "Johnny Mathis: Merry Christmas." We also enjoy "Christmas Eve and Other Stories," by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Anne Murray's "The Season Will Never Grow Old." Our taste in music is very eclectic, and we can also recommend Leon Redbone's "Christmas Island," Blackmore's Night's "Winter Carols," and for the guitar freaks, "Merry Axemas," Volumes 1 and 2, with songs by assorted guitar heroes.

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CarolK said, on Dec. 5 at 8:38AM
Leave it to you bas bleu to come up with some great suggestions for holiday listening. Johnny Mathias is a favorite of mine as well. And you can't go wrong with the beautiful vocals of Anne Murray, thinking Snowbird here. Saw Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert two seasons back as my daughter's beau is a big fan. But Leon Redbone is a new one for me. You know I'll seek this out. Thanks for the suggestions!

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CarolK said, on Dec. 8 at 2:32PM
Well, we added Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas and David Arkenstone's Enchantment to our collection today. One of Megan's favorite songs on Carey's is Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child. I can see why she fell in love with this one. It is pure gospel and very lively. It makes you want to belt it out and sway your body. It will be a new favorite of mine. Arkenstone's Enchantment is well, enchanting. A new age offering with a very nice selection of traditional instrumentals. I could swear I could hear voices singing these songs. It will be a new favorite of mine too. Thanks to all for sharing.

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Mercedes said, on Dec. 22 at 5:11PM
I have over 30 Christmas albums - its hard to keep up! My classic favorite as a child is Andy Williams, "Merry Christmas". My more modern favorite is Harry Connick Jr's "Harry for the Holidays". Then there is Josh Groban, Enya's new Christmas album, and of course, Bing Crosby. New to me this year is the Polar Express soundtrack, which my daughter adores and we've been hearing far too often. Nothing better than filling the air with carols!!!

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