Santamental Journey
various artists
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One of many CD compilations by Rhino Records which survey specific genres of Christmas music, Santamental
Journey: Pop Vocal Christmas Classics (1995) takes on the tricky world of easy listening, where
the line between memorable performance and boring pap is fine, indeed. For the most part, Rhino stays
on
the
right side of that divide, sticking
with performers of distinction and taste (Peggy Lee, Jo Stafford). At the very least, Rhino samples
lesser lights (Doris Day, Al Martino) sooner - in their prime - rather than later - after the schmaltz
kicked in. As is often the case, Rhino throws in one cut that makes you go 'hmmm' (why are the Drifters
on this record?), but this is a fine disc that swings much harder than you'd expect.
Albums
Essential Songs
- Christmas And You (Joni James, 1953)
- The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (The Drifters, 1964)
- Merry Christmas To YouThe Christmas Waltz (Peggy Lee, 1960)
- Frosty The Snowman (Jimmy Durante, 1950)
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland, 1944)
- Here Comes Santa Claus Day (Doris Day, 1949)
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Jo Stafford, 1956)
- Little Drummer Boy (Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra, 1965)
- Sleigh Ride (Johnny Desmond, 1950)
- Suzy Snowflake (Rosemary Clooney, 1951)
- (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays (Perry Como, 1954)
- What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Dick Haymes, 1947)
- White Christmas (Bing Crosby, 1942)
Further Listening
- The Best Christmas Ever (various artists, 1996)
- Billboard Greatest Christmas Hits 1935-1954 (various artists, 1989)
- The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole, 1963)
- Croon And Swoon: A Classic Christmas (various artists, 1998)
- Have A Jolly Christmas (Frank Sinatra, 1957)
- Snowfall (Tony Bennett, 1968)
- A Winter Romance (Dean Martin, 1959)