Holiday Music: Favorite Christmas and Hanukkah Songs
Selecting good kids holiday music is a lot like going into a giant candy store--there are simply way too many choices and there is always the risk of selecting (and paying for) something way too sweet or worse discovering that a pretty wrapper may cover an outright dud. With all that in mind, here are some fantastic selections that will get you in the holiday spirit for Christmas, Hanukkah, Chrismakkah or whatever you celebrate. Feel free to share your favorite Holiday music in the comments.
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This boppy upbeat album has a fine mix of favorites like the Chipmunks' comic Christmas Don't be Late, Burl Ives' Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and Jimmy Durante's Frosty the Snowman both of these hits from the highly- recommended Rankin & Bass animated shorts of the same names. Other gems to enjoy include The Jackson 5 (Little Michael) doin' I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Holiday Mornings by Arlo & Anna
This clever duo offer up original songs in a cheerful slightly folksy yet very danceable style--a little Jonathan Richman, a little Buckwheat Zydeco, a lotta fun.
I think of them as the Jewish Ramones. In a world where most Hanukkah music for kids makes you wanna run screaming outta the room and into hot oil (with the latkes of course), the LeeVees are a welcome, unique (there exist no other cool Hanukkah bands on Earth from what I can tell) and utterly rockin' band. Made up of Guster's Adam Gardner and The Zamboni's (think "Hockey Monkey") Dave Schneider, LeeVees are equally silly and witty ( Applesauce vs Sour Cream--the choice you're gonna have to make; tell your mom to fry not bake or Gelt Melts--you gotta get it while you can cuz it won't last long. They intentionally give musical nods to rock bands like the Kinks--on last listen I'm fairy sure I detected some licks from AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long. Buy it.
Christmas Rocks: The Best of Brian Setzer Orchestra Collection
His revved up recipe calls for equal amounts of Rockabilly and the bold sounds of Big Band. Former Stray Cat and high-energy boogie-meister Brian Setzer reinvents the classics here, but howza 'bout some originals like "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus" or "Santa Drives a Hot Rod" for ya? This "best of" album offers a swell selection but if you "dig," he's gotta whole bunch of Christmas releases to check out.
Wee Hairy Beasties Holidays Gone Crazy
Sally Timms and Jon Langford (both of the Mekons) create witty, hip, and extremely silly tunes for Wee Beasties of the kid kind. There's the doosie, Dinosaur Christmas, a new take on an old tale with the "Tail" of the Night Before... plus the Yellow Snow PSA is downright hilarious. Confession: all the songs herein aren't really truly holiday songs but these guys are just too darn good and too darn fun to pass up.
Do you like surf guitar (hint your kids will)? The Ventures surf the classics--from Silver Bells to Jingle Bells. You may be too young to remember Hawaii Five-O (like some of us--ahem) but these guys are the bomb. All instrumental but who cares?! Little Johnny and Little Mary will be surfin' around the aluminum tree and playin' air guitar while you suck down that double peppermint latte. (plus a Monkees riff on Rudolph just warms my heart.)
Last but not least...the PERFECT Chrismakkah album...
Oy to the World: A Klezmer Christmas
Shimmy 'til your kishkas are sore! Guaranteed to make you giggle, The Klezmonauts (including Mannheim Steamroller violinist Arnie Roth) expertly cover famous goyishe Christmas tunes in rockin' klez rhythm (mostly instrumental though they do Jingle Bells in Yiddish). It's perfect for all ages, from twistin' tots to grindin' grammas. As bubbie would say, "enjoy"!
TIP: The links on the above titles let you preview some tracks (try before you buy), but they don't necessarily represent the best online prices. And don't forget, NYC has music stores galore including many offering gently used cd's (and even vinyl!) -- is a great way to get out and buy some holiday music with the kiddos.
Find other holiday ideas in our Holiday Guide, and gift ideas in our NYC Shopping Local Gift Guide.
