Sounds for Stylish Men: Christmas Time is Here
Music makes the world go ‘round. It puts rhythm in our feet and inspires us to dance, love and reflect. The comforting sounds of favorite songs and artists help us through tough times and remind us of great moments of joy. Through these experiences and sonic associations, we develop our own taste in music.
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s tempting to write off Christmas music as a novelty genre. Most good Christmas music was made before 1970. With the exception of Bob Dylan’s hilarious 2009 album Christmas in the Heart - where Dylan sounds like a stumbling drunk kicked out of a small town bar, rousing folks in the streets with hearty carols - whatever Tony Bennett turns out each winter and Snoop Dogg’s g-funk tome “Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto,” most modern Christmas music is soulless dreck designed for vapid commercial radio formats. These stations used to rotate the carols of Frankie, Dino and Vince Guaraldi, but are now ground zero for songs that make you wish the holiday season was over.
These five songs, however, are classics that will fill you with holiday cheer:
Vince Guaraldi
“Christmas Time is Here (Instrumental)” - Vince Guaraldi Trio: When Vince Guaraldi scored the music to the TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas, he created a masterpiece. Even as a moody teenager, I anticipated the night A Charlie Brown Christmas would air because the trio's flowing melodies paralleled the moods of the show's storyline. Of all the songs, the instrumental version of “Christmas Time is Here” is the number that stands out most thanks to Guaraldi’s minimalistic soloing. This was the song that accompanied the scene where Charlie Brown went to get his legendary Christmas tree. Much like the pint-sized conifer, the tune’s slow, reflective effervescence captures the true meaning of Christmas.
The Temptations, 1970.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” - The Temptations: The five-part harmony the Tempations lent to 1970’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” turns a catchy yet pedestrian tune into something dynamic. Between Eddie Kendricks’ beautiful falsetto and Melvin Franklin’s soulful bass notes, the Temptations cover every part of the vocal range with balance and feeling. Set against lush orchestration and a funky backbeat, they captured everything right with ‘70s soul in “Rudolph’s” 2:59 duration.
Tony Bennett (Photo courtesy of PBS).
“Winter Wonderland” - Tony Bennett: Tony Bennett’s timeless sound lends itself well to Christmas music. The nonagenarian's voice is better with age since his phrasing is cool like the winter winds while his enunciation is warm like a roaring fire. The opening flute on “Winter Wonderland” makes listeners picture the city at Christmas, a place where well-dressed folks walking down windswept streets as lights twinkle and snow falls. The flute seamlessly segue’s into Bennett’s vocals, describing a scene you want to walk through no matter how cold it is.
Kurtis Blow
“Christmas Rappin’” - Kurtis Blow: Some people think the holidays are square, but legendary rapper Kurtis Blow knows better. Blow made Christmas funky with “Christmas Rappin,’” a hip-hop retelling of “'Twas The Night Before Christmas”. Blow’s Santa Claus is a cool cat and if you still find the age-old story mundane, the beat will make you get down for Old Saint Nick. ‘Tis the season to be funky.
Ella Fitzgerald
“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” - Ella Fitzgerald (Mangini vs. Pallin remix): Mangini vs. Pallin's retooling of Ella Fitzgerald’s sultry “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” (from Verve's 2008 Verve Remixed Christmas) is the song everyone should conclude their Christmas party with. The lyrics' seductive undertones are perfect the folks working up the courage to go home with each other, the long-time lovers who want to cozy up with a soothing drink as the night hits its prime or the revelers - attached or not - who want to feel sensuous and good. At the very least, Ella’s hazy vocals should help you summon up the courage to ask your crush, “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?”