My French Country Home by Sharon Santoni

Friday, 14 December 2012

music for my christmas parties


What music do you like to play in the background as 
you prepare for christmas ?




There are certain tunes I love to hear as I prepare for our family celebrations - whether I'm cooking, wrapping gifts or decorating, I find that a seasonal tune makes it all more fun.

These are some of my favourites this year ....

first of all and for sheer fun, I listen to Eartha Kitt wooing Santa Baby

  

for christmas eve, I rarely miss the BBC broadcasting of the Kings College Cambridge  choir boys singing christmas carols .......





For christmas cocktail parties I'm quite happy to let Frank and Bing take the reins and jingle those bells




or listen to  Nat roasting chestnuts .....




and to remind me of the days when my children were happy
 to believe in the whole magic of christmas I love to dream of  flying snowman




 For sweet romance, I sing out loud to All I want is you



 and finally for sheer fun because it makes me and
 my children laugh so much, the unmistakable Bill Nighy  



so tell me please, do have any suggestions for
 additions to my Christmas repertoire?



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68 comments:

  1. Bonjour Sharon. I must say your selection got better and better as I scrolled down to the end of your list... until the inimitable Bill Nighy! I still smile remembering him in that heartwarming movie... Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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    1. Bill Nighy has some very special qualities that's for sure
      xx

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    2. ... as displayed *prominently* in Le Movie :-)

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  2. I'm rather fond of Josh Groban's Christmas Album. My husband prefers Neil Diamond singing carols old and new. There is so much wonderful music at this time of year.

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    1. HI Lorrie, this seems to be the season most clearly marked by music ....I'm off to check out Josh Groban!
      xx

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  3. Merry Christmas Sharon! I enjoy Vince Guaraldi (Charlie Brown Christmas); it's a pleasant jazz piano. I must say how much I enjoy your blog; it's my retreat when needed and always an inspiration. I appreciate your creative spirit and love of home and family; thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Darlene for your kind words, I didn't know the Charlie Brown Christmas music, apparently I've missed something
      xx

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  4. I might be a Nana!! but to get the Christmas party going, there's nothing like Slade singing 'Merry Christmas Everybody'.

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    1. Well done Barbara, I hadn't dared own up to that one! :)
      xx

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  5. Lovely selection there! We have special songs which we must hear before it feels like it is really Christmas, including Fairytale of New York by The Pogues, John Lennon, And So This Is Christmas, and Greg Lake singing I Believe In Father Christmas.

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    1. Thank you for educating me! I didn't know the Fairytale of NY, and I had forgotten about the Lennon single ...
      xx

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  6. A must at my house is Davide Bowie and Bing Crosby's "Little Drummer Boy". And The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping". Happy Holidays!

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    1. Had completely forgotten about Little Drummer Boy, and didn't know Christmas Wrapping, thank you!
      xx

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  7. I love to play Bing Crosby's White Christmas and Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree!

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  8. Don't forget...'Walking in a Winter Wonderland'... :) xv

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  9. Perfect! Why mess with success? :) I absolutely love the Kings College Choir. So moving and wonderful. Especially their rendition of 'The Holly and the Ivy'. And of course, Santa Baby is fantastic.. Nope, no additions; all is good here!

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    1. thank you for your note of approval mary, you are welcome tback to comment box whenever you wish! :)
      xx

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  10. My favorite is one that is rarely played... Let there be Peace on Earth... and there are 2 versions, one by Gladys Knight and one that has a child singing the intro. love it! and all of yours too.

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  11. The repertoire at our house is eclectic, but there is nothing like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and their screaming electric guitars to give me the energy for a marathon gift wrapping session.

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  12. Ghetto looks quite soothed by your holiday music choices, Sharon! The kid in me loves the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack and John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas together. They both get a lot of play in our house this time of year!

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    1. Ghetto puts on an act when required, Jeanne, but 'soothed' is rarely an appropriate adjective for that dog!
      The muppets can do no wrong in my eyes , an excellent one to add, thank you
      xx

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  13. Dear Sharon,
    I like your list very much. I love also "Lullaby and good night" sung by Dean Martin, or "It´s the most wonderful time of the year...", my favourite english christmas carol is "Hark!The herold angel sing." from Felix Mendelsohn-Bartholdy.
    While cooking I prefer Albinoni, Purcell and Bach, also love the aria "Ombra mai fu" from Händel´s opera Xerxes. In the car I hear at the moment Michael Bublé´s christmas album
    And, there´s no Christmas Eve for me without the movie "It´s a wonderful life" with Jimmi Stewart. Late at night, when all the others gone to bed, I watch it with my dogs and a glass Bordeaux!

    Happy season,warmly Babsi

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    1. I have to admit that if there is nobody else around to wince at my singing, I love to sing the descant to Hark the Herald Angels.
      I'll think of you and your dogs on Christmas Eve Babsi
      xx

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  14. If you like classical guitar, you might enjoy the Christmas album by Christopher Parkening and soprano Kathleen Battle. I absolutely love this CD. It's definitely on the more serious side (esp. compared to Bill Nighy).

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    1. What?! You don't think Bill Nighy is serious?!....
      Off to check out Parkening and Battle, thank you :)
      xx

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  15. If you send me your address, Sharon, I'll mail you a copy of my holiday harp CD to add to your Christmas play list!

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    Replies

    1. Thank you Amy, how generous of you, I'd love that!
      xx

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    2. Email me your address, and I'll send it right away in hopes that you get it before Christmas!

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  16. Sharon, you have covered it all. I grew up on your play list, adding a few other greats.
    Music to my holiday ears.
    This was a Christmas post walking me down memory lane :)

    xx
    Dore

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    Replies

    1. Thank you Dore, what I love is that it's a play list that please all generations

      xx

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  17. I have to admit to loving the mariah carey christmas album -and celine dione's is great as well!
    However - i never tire of nat king cole and the standards anyday!

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  18. The ones that put a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes: The Lord's Prayer by Andrea Bocelli and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (this is how I imagine the angels sound in Heaven), Natalie Cole singing My Grown Up Christmas List, the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, The Huron Carol (written in 1643 by Jesuit priest Jean de Brébeuf for the Huron people in Canada), the First Noel, Joy to the World and Silent Night. I am really enjoying Lady Antelbellum's take on Mariah Carey's All I Want is You as well as the original!

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  19. I enjoy George Winston's December.

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  20. I've been listening to an internet radio site called New Age Christmas Radio. Beautiful, mostly instrumental music that doesn't sound like you're at the mall! If you like the Winter Solstice or Celtic Christmas albums this station is for you!

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  21. Love all of your holiday picks and can't wait to listen to more this weekend as we decorate the house and bake cookies. My two favorites have to be Andrea Bocelli signing classic carols and Josh Groban's Christmas album. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Cynthia

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  22. I love them all! I alternate between the fun Christmas songs and classical hymns. I so enjoyed your post. Bonnie

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  23. Love your choices as they reflect MANY of my favorites! Especially gotta have some Bing at Christmas! Grew up on that!!! Merci beaucoup for sharing your favorites!!! I know it's fun and festive at your house!

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  24. I must add that I love the first picture with your Ghetto and, I'm assuming, your daughter. That Ghetto has got to be the cutest...except, well, maybe my Miz Duke!! He looks like he is just full of himself all the time and full of personality! Love it!!

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  25. I grew up in the Deep South of the United States, and we always had a recording (vinyl, because that's how old I am) of Pete Fountain playing his clarinet with a sporty, jazzy chorus of backup singers doing Christmas music. It's still what I think of when I think of Christmas music. "Candy Clarinet" will always be one of my favorite Christmas songs. I'm glad your post brought it to mind, I'm off to iTunes to see if I can find it.
    Did I mention how much I enjoy your blog, by the way? It just eases my path...oh! and thank you for Eartha, too, that clip is HYSTERICAL. And for balance, the Kings College choir brought a tear to my eye. Maybe next year I could hear them in person, lovely thought......

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  26. Love your list, I must say all the classic carols sung by the crooners of yesteryear are my fave (as are the movies) and I absolutely love the movie 'Love Actually' that those last two songs of yours are from, I play it every year at Christmas - Bill Nighy is hilarious -- Love it! Merry Christmas to you, your family and all your lovely blog readers, I hope it's a wonderful one for everyone. xx Michelle xx

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  27. I love Chris Rea's Driving Home for Christmas because it always reminds me of the family coming together from all over the country! Love the first photo. Thank you for reminding me to pull out all the Christmas music - time to get into the mood I think! Merry Christmas f xx

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  28. yes yes yes. i am grooving right along with you.

    michele

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  29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I65whHoCkHs...This is Boney M - Mary's Boy and one very appropriate for Christmas as we await the birth of the Christ Child.
    Mary Christ Mass,
    Sylvia Faye

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  30. Boney M - Little Drummer Boy and at same site as above......these are meaningful for the true Christmas Season...
    Happy & Holy New Year,
    Sylvia Faye

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  31. I grew up listening to my mother's Julie Andrew's Christmas album, with her lovely clear tones, and Andy Williams' smooth voice singing classic holiday tunes. Those always sound like Christmas to me. And my father especially enjoyed Gene Autrey's Christmas album, so you could try that for a cowboy flavor! But my personal favorite is Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas album, the one that came out in the late 90's. I love his big band style mixing class and fun. :) Have a wonderfully happy holiday in your home!

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  32. Sharon...we have many of the same choices, which does not surprise me! I love classical Christmas music as well...but when the family is around there is nothing like Charlie Brown Christmas...and a few more here... http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/2009/12/wonderful-sounds-of-christmas.html?spref=fb

    Best wishes for a wonderful weekend Sharon... xxx

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  33. You have great musical taste!! We grew up listening to a Radio City Music Hall album, "Sing We Now of Christmas" sung by a choir and accompanied by the magnificent double organ -fun arrangements from the early 60's.

    Lately, since I have become interested in more "chill" arrangements of the season's songs. Great to play during cocktails! Having a German mother, this one is really wonderful to me: Still, Still, Still by Kaskade.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9AvYey5JaQ

    Enjoy!

    Mary Ann/Tampa, FL

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  34. Love the classics, and some of the ones you like are on my favorites list too. Love Michael Bubles Christmas album, ditto Natalie Coles.....both staples around here. And Andrea Bocelli, love turning it up full blast (much to my kids horror) and "taking in his glorious voice"! Happy and healthy holidays......

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  35. Great choices Sharon & THANK YOU for sharing these! I have so many but do love anything from Michael Buble' & Mannheim Steamroller motivates me into getting it all done, if there is such a thing!

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  36. John Denver and the Muppets is still my all-time favorite. Takes me back to when the kids were little with their sparkly eyes and pure, sweet, innocent excitement.

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  37. Michael Bublé´s christmas album + Rod Stewarts Christmas album + all the Christmas Hymns + A. Bocelli + Bing,Frankie,Nat-I could go on and on. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  38. Christmas isn't Christmas for me without listening to Kings College Cambridge carols on Christmas eve. They are magical.

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