Merry Christmas Advent…ure (December 2)

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

dad in the kitchen today

Christmas music is the antidote for October 4th Home Depot Xmas shopping displays. I can literally not imagine the holiday season without a soundtrack. Setting aside grandma being run over by reindeer, or the kiddo that really needs those teeth, there is just something about Christmas music. The sonic hot-coco, the audio blanket by the fire that we all need. So here are the next two dallops of Chritmas music on my list this year

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Michael Buble)

The first song on Mr. Buble’s Christmas (Deluxe Special Edition) from 2012 is Number 3 on ThisDads playlist. This is probably my favorite Christmas album. Open to discussion for sure, but front to back, top to bottom there is not a weak link in the track list. Like most Christmas albums of my youth, they are almost entirely covers but Buble IMHO has the perfect blend of vocal gravitas and skill, big band sensibilities, flare, and most importantly warmth for the material. Probably why this is the first of three entires on my list from this album.

As much as the music it is the “press play and listen” aspect of this collection of songs that I enjoy so much.

Music apps and the accessibility they afford are Gandolf + Dr. Strange-level magic. Assembling a list of pretty much ANY artist, ANY song, in ANY order might be the norm for those half ThisDads age.

For those like Thisdad whose selection of Jonny Mathus, Perry Como, and Andy Williams was accompanied but putting all TEN fingers at risk with this contraption, there is no complaint to be heard about how “searching in your app is a pain”

Humbug

There is however something to be said about knowing that once that black sonic disc was unsheathed from its cardboard scabbard you were setting off on a journey. Maybe you lift the needle and skip a tune here or there. That however was a perilous task knowing that a missed needle drop at the wrong volume might get some dishes dropped in the adjacent room. If you know, you know.

Eight-square-foot music-playing furniture was the only part of my Christmas youth reflected on this list

A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives (Lady A Version)

The old-school stop-motion animation specials are a northtentpole of my Christmas memories. Rudolf and Eleven-dentists, jack-frost, and Bumble Snowman to say the least. Of all the music from those specials, this is the song I enjoy for its own sake and not solely nostalgia. (Nothing personal Rudolf)!

The song is cheerful, joyous, and jovial as the title suggests.

Of course, the original Burl Ives version was an option here, but this version I enjoy as I feel like these artists probably grew up watching the same specials. The little triangle “tings”, and the big band bursts throughout this version are just super fun. The horns, violin, and little brush snare are all great touches. And while not the biggest country fan, Lady A can harmonize with the best.

So that is a wrap on Day 2, songs 3 and 4. Hope those who are following along are having fun and hope all of you have a wonderful Jolly weekend!

Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow.

Main Cover Photo by Jonathan Knepper on Unsplash