Christmas Music 2010 recommendations

junk·ie also junk·y (j ng k ). n. pl. junk·ies Slang. 

 2. One who has an insatiable interest or devotion:

I guess you could say I am a Christmas music junkie.  The spiritual Christmas songs – not the snowman, fatman, flying mammal, consumer-orgiastic-feel-good-snowflakes-and sleigh-bells ones (for the most part).

Why am I a Christmas music junkie?

Part of it is that I love the truths that these great songs remind us of.  Of God come in the flesh in great humility to ransom a rebellious creation because of His tender mercies.

Part of it is the joy of finding new classics like:
“Emmanuel” – JJ Heller
“Christ is Come” – Big Daddy Weave
“2000 Decembers Ago” – Joy Williams

“Light of the Stable” – Selah
“Mary Did You Know?” – Mark Lowry… now sung by everyone and Susan Boyle

“This Winter’s Night” – Kevin Marks

“Babe in the Straw” – The Choir

“Everything Changed” – NorthPoint

“Here With Us” – Joy Williams
“Once Upon a Christmas” – Dolly Parton

and a bunch of others…

Part of it is discovering ‘lost’ gems – like this year’s finding of “Taladh Chriosda” which I can tell you right now will be featured during our Christmas Eve services.

Part of it is the fresh and creative takes on the great ‘standard’ carols. How do you take a cherished and beloved song and breathe new life into it without messing it up?  There are some who would say you should never even try – to them I say… “and a Bah! Humbug! to you!”

If you are looking to add to your collection this Advent and Christmas season I would humbly suggest the following new finds, most of which are available via the links to iTunes or amazon or emusic.  Some even exist on those old fashioned plastic silver round things that a laser has to hit to make sound.

BRAND NEW

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North Point – Christmas

Genre: modern worship

Really great original stuff alongside refreshed classic carols.  Vibrant, upbeat mix lends itself to worship in a full band context.

Where to listen/purchase: itunes  amazon

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JJ Heller – Wake Up the World (EP)

genre: intimate indie folk

Even though it came out in 2007, I just found this one a month or so ago, so I’m putting it in ‘new’ – like the new used car you just bought.  It’s ‘new to me’.

Such a delightfully warm acoustic album with depth that resonates the essence of the Nativity story.

Her reworked version of We Three Kings (“Star of Wonder”) is why I love artists who refresh older songs.

Even though there are just 5 songs, the album easily worth the $4.95 at iTunes.  I would pay double that.

So, so, so good.  Just buy it now.

Where to listen/purchase: itunes  amazon

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Andy Gullahorn & Jill Phillips – Christmas

Genre: acoustic-y folk

“Intimate” and “worshipful” are the best words to describe this project.  This would be perfect playing in your favorite coffee shop this holiday.  Some very cool original songs, and very sweet new arrangement of a hymn I had never heard: “Nations That Long in Darkness Walked”

Also includes “Christmastime is Here” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside”

Where to listen/purchase: The Rabbit Room

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Phil Wickham – Songs for Christmas

genre: lush, intimate, pop

I have appreciated Phil’s heart for worship married to fresh creativity for many years now.  This project wasn’t even on my radar, but based on previous experiences I bought it immediately.  It’s good.. and creative… but some of the arrangements don’t work for me.  “Silent Night” has a country-lounge feel that I just don’t connect with.  But the introspective and sparse “O Come O Come Emmanuel” does.  Same with his rendition of “O Holy Night” – which is one of my favorite songs, period.  Christmas or not.

Overall a tender and lush album – apart from Silent Night.

Where to listen/purchase: phil wickham website

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Future of Forestry – Advent Christmas EP., Vol. 2

Genre: experimental, semi shoe-gazer, alt worship

Their first “Advent” EP is an essential part of my Christmas listening.   The beauty, majesty and creativity of that project is off. the. charts.  The arrangements are artful and out-of-the-box without being gimmicky. And the live DVD proves they have the chops to pull it all off live.

This second project continues that creative vibe and sounds like they’ve taken some of the best elements of Sufjan Steven’s ‘Age of Adz’ experiments and woven them into these reworked classics.

‘Joy to the World’ blended with ‘All Creatures of our God and King’ – whoa – who saw that coming?

And a rock and organ ballad version of ‘Pie Jesu’?  it works!

Eric Owyoung and TJ Hill continue to impress me.

Where to listen/purchase: iTunes 

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Jenny & Tyler – Love Came Down: A Christmas EP

Genre: indie acoustic coffee shop folk

Grab a couple friends, a guitar, a banjo, some fun old organ, bass and a drummer and passionate vocalists and a Christmas chord book and you have this project.

I stumbled upon this gem through my subscription to eMusic.

Tender and acoustic.

LOVE their arrangement of “For Unto Us a Child is Born” – love it.

Where to listen/purchase: iTunes    eMusic

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HONORABLE MENTIONs:

Kemper Crabb – Downe in Yon Forest

genre: Middle Ages

While not technically new this year, it is new to me.  This collection of Medieval songs performed on period instruments opens a new window into ancient expressions from centuries ago.  As stated above “Taladh Chriosda (The Christ Child Lullaby)” will be sung for our Christmas Eve services.

If you prefer your music well aged – like at least 500 years or older – pick up this album.  Do yourself a favor and get the CD/DVD package.

Where to listen/purchase: iTunes  amazon

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Mychael Danna - The Nativity Story soundtrack

genre: soundtrack, classical

If you've seen the movie, you understand why this is a must.  Danna's subtle at times, but gloriously present weaving of traditional carols into the musical narrative of this film is at once sublime and powerful.

I cannot listen to "Silens Nox" without crying at the end.

Where to listen/purchase: iTunes  amazon

Enjoy and a most Merry Christmas to you!