Listen Here #11
Hello friends,
Season’s Greason’s! A few housekeeping notes…
1) Today’s newsletter is different, because I’m going to be recommending some full Christmas Albums. I think the End of December is a GREAT time to listen to full albums, don’t you?
2) Listen Here will be going on hiatus for the next two weeks (possibly three… tbd). School’s out, bitches! Time to rest.
3) Do you like choral songs? May I interest you in my very own bespoke playlist of my Christmas choral favorites? This playlist has EVERYTHING: Contemplative advent pieces! A jovial Russian setting of an annunciation text, followed by a meltingly stirring setting of the same text! Contemporary Estonians! Ding Dong Merrily On High! Samuel Barber!
Happiest of holidays and may we all be able to take a fucking break.
<3 Lauren
LAUREN’S FAVORITE CHRISTMAS ALBUMS (in no order)
“Christmas” by Bruce Cockburn. I said no order, but this is my actual favorite Christmas album of all time. The warmth of the guitars, the off-beat song choices, the artistry and care behind each musical choice… sublime. My favorite songs is “Riu Riu Chiu.”
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. An instantly recognizable classic. I never, ever have gotten tired of this one.
“Irish Christmas” by Eden’s Bridge. Charming! I particularly like the setting of the Magnificat.
“Silver and Gold” by Sufjan Stevens. I don’t always listen to the whole thing, but I do always listen to the title track every December when I have the Xmas blues. Also: Christmas Unicorn.
“The Andy Williams Christmas Album” by Andy Williams. This is my mom’s favorite Christmas album, and I find that fact (and it) delightful.
“A Christmas Album” by Amy Grant. Absolutely full of bangers. Emmanuel? Little Town? Love Has Come? I mean, come ON!
“Holiday Songs and Lullabies” by Shawn Colvin. Remarkably cozy!
“Christmas Belles” by Various Artists (Compilation Album). Iconic divas singing their most iconic Christmas songs ✨
“Christmas” by Mannheim Steamroller. More 80’s synth realness. I’ve been dancing around the living room to this album for 30+ years now.
Hell yeah. If you’ve read this far, please reply with your own fave xmas albums! See you all in 2025 <3 <3 <3