My favorite Christmas Albums of 2015

As a Christmas music collector, I scour the earth and internet looking for new Christmas music as well as the old forgotten treasures. This year has had some great releases that are some of my most favorite in recent years. Here are my favorite Christmas albums of 2015.

Elizabeth Chan's  "Red and Green"

Elizabeth Chan dreamed of writing Christmas songs when she was a young girl. She got a corporate job but still dreamed of writing Christmas songs. After writing over 200 songs she left the corporate world, started her own company and never looked back. I don't know of any musician that has made it their goal to write one single genre of songs, but Elizabeth Chan is driven. Her purpose to write holiday standard. You know a song like "White Christmas" or "The Christmas Song." With three albums under her belt, her fourth "Red and Green" assures us that she will reach her goal.

As a musician myself with a degree in music, I know what makes a hit song and a standard. A great hook ( a musical idea that catches the ear of the listener), Melodies that you can not get out of your head and lyrics that are easy to remember and say something to you the listener. Elizabeth nails all of these. 

Take for example "Fa La La" 

One song you won't find on the album but will find on You Tube is her viral sensation parody of Taylor Swifts song "Shake It Off" entitled "jingle Bells"

I love this album as there is something for everyone young and old alike. From the dance pop of "Here's To The New Year" which would be a dance anthem of any New Years party, to the lush orchestration of "A Christmas Song" (not the Mel Torme version) to the pop greatest of "Red and Green." Her beautiful ballad "Christmas In The City" has already made the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart for Christmas week.

Thank you Elizabeth for making all of our holiday's a little brighter. I have no doubt that your Christmas standard is well on it's way!

"Red and Green" at iTunes, Amazon
More info at Elizabeth's Chan's official website.http://www.lizchanchristmas.com



Next up!  Astrocolor "Lit Up"

Boy do I like this band. their take on the traditional Christmas album takes a fresh turn with this release. Their music combines a lot of different styles. Part, Ambient throw in some Jazz,  mix in Trip, Dub and you have a artfully deconstructive and reinvented holiday gem. 

Here is their version of "Silent Night" featuring  wonderful vocals by Rykka

This is Christmas music for headphones. Nothing better than sitting by the fire, glass of fine french Cognac in hand, grooving on these wonderful re-inventions of some of the classics. 

Get Astrocolor's "Lit Up" HERE!
More at their website: http://www.astrocolormusic.com


And Finally!
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings " It's a Holiday Soul Party"

In 2011 I featured on my annual Christmas Comp, "There Aint No Chimney's In The Projects" and fell in love with this band and it's soulful queen Sharon Jones. This album is pure unadulterated old school soul. It reminds me of the old times where rhythm was king.

Along with "There Aint No Chimneys In The Projects, are some new classics including a wonderful song about Hannukah titled "8 Days of Hannukuh" Here is the song performed live on the "Steven Colbert Show."

Another fun one "Just Another Christmas Song"

Get this album and you will be sure tapping your toes and bobbing your head. Just perfect holiday fun!

Get it HERE!
More info on their Website: http://sharonjonesandthedapkings.com


                                 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY LISTENING!!!