Some of us once enjoyed working at a very civilized radio station that would not play Christmas music until December 15, and then played only music deemed listenable. That would exclude, for example, "Rockin' 'Round the Christmas Tree." Oh, that's one of your favorites? Sorry.
Having reached December 15, it's time to once again provide our completely unnecessary Christmas music list. We won't recycle the story of how Bob Wells and Mel Torme came to write "The Christmas Song," having told it countless times before, but we will note that there is a lovely performance by Jane Monheit on the album "An Appalachian Christmas." This album also includes James Taylor's "Ol' Blue," in which he sings, "When I get to Heaven, first thing I'll do, is call Ol' Blue." And Ol' Blue will come runnin'', because Pope Francis has assured us dogs do go to Heaven.
There are other fine, slightly off-beat Christmas albums, among them "On Yoolis Nights," a collection of medieval carols by Anonymous 4; "Russian Christmas" by the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir; and "Winterludes," an eclectic compilation assembled some years ago by Starbucks, and right up there with their Christmas blend coffee.
But moving beyond the major works (Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" and others) we should look at jazz takes on Yuletide music. Our favorites: "England's Carol" (actually "God Bless Ye Merry, Gentlemen") by the Modern Jazz Quartet; "Sleighride," a wild ride indeed by Art Pepper, Richie Cole and Roger Kellaway; "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Dexter Gordon (gently swinging, though not as poignant as Garland's); and a very Brahmsian "Away in a Manger" by George Shearing and Don Thompson.
The Bill Evans Trio does a charming, candy cane "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and, oh yeah--there's Louis's "Zat You, Santy Claus?" Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" doesn't qualify as jazz, but Ms. Kitt purringly does.
Okay, Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" music remains essential, and, though not in any sense Christmassy, there is "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Ray Charles and Betty Carter (written originally by Frank Loesser as a party song for himself and his wife). And finally, folks--yes, there is a finally--how long is it since you've heard Les Brown's great early 1950s recording of Irving Berlin's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"? Just as we thought, way too long. Pour yourself a mug of something warming, and enjoy.
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