BEST BEATS

Great Christmas albums? Here is a list of some of my favourites that are usually spinning all December long. The best ones: Vince Guaraldi: A Charlie Brown Christmas (Fantasy); A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, various artists (Phil Spector Records); Ella Wishes You A Swingin’ Christmas (Verve); A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra (Capitol).

For a smidge of campiness try: Merry From Lena by Lena Horne (Razor And Tie); A Winter Romance by Dean Martin (Capitol); Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails 1 and 2, various (Capitol).

For calming sweetness: Light Of The Stable by Emmylou Harris (Warner); Christmastide by Jessye Norman (Phillips); Holiday Songs And Lullabies by Shawn Colvin (Columbia); The Christmas Album by The Manhattan Transfer (Columbia).

Sheer quirky fun: Hipster’s Holiday/ Vocal Jazz And R&B Classics, various (Rhino); Peace-Rotary Connection (One Way Records); Rockin’ Little Christmas (Universal); Funky Christmas by James Brown (Polydor).

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