I'm going to be honest, I hate Christmas time and Christmas time "music". I use the term "music" loosely. Travis and I were talking about this recently, how our ears and brains are filled with this crap during the month and a half before Dec. 25th. It is inescapable, as is death and taxes.

We both feel (and I know of others that agree) that it shouldn't even be called music, it should be called something else entirely. An acronym for something terrible. The best we came up with is HAM.

What should holiday/Christmas music be called instead of music?

_________________
Dear Baby, Please be independent. Love, Mom -SAC

I dunno, as someone who doesn't ever go anywhere where Christmas music is played (like stores, malls, etc.) and who doesn't listen to music on the radio, I don't get sick of Christmas music, just because I hardly ever hear it.

Some of the greatest musicians of the swing era recorded awesome holiday music.

And holiday music stirs up some very warm memories for me, too, which is probably why I get all warm and fuzzy inside listening to John Denver (wow, I almost said Bob Denver) and the Muppets singing holiday songs, or Bing Crosby, or Dean Martin, or Burl Ives.

I'm trying like the blazes to remember if it's Louis Armstrong with Velma Middleton or if it's someone else who sings a completely funny and live version of Baby it's Cold Outside. That's easily my favorite.

Hm, I'll have to actually get out my holiday music some time soon to pull up more examples, It's been nearly a year since I listened to any of them and I'm not too sure where my IPod is right now. (guess I should go find it before class tonight, though...)

You probably have a different definition for "awesome" than I do, which is totally fine, everyone is allowed to have their own opinions, correct?

_________________
--------
Swing Des Moines - spreading the love of Swing in Central Iowa.

Wallypop - bringing you natural and handmade goods, from cloth diapers to wool handbags.

I love Manheim Steamroller. It is the best Christmas music ever. When my brothers and I were children, we'd thunder around the house, stomping and flailing our arms about because it just made ya MOVE. Doesn't really swing though.

I find most Christmas music to be sappy and forced, though. I am Mrs. McScrooge.

_________________
"What is within shall now be without. / Don't just dance - you must throw down."

| Sarah |

Dinn,

Why are you Mrs. Scrooge? Don't you know you're going to have a MaryX-mas?

Also, I was at hobby lobby the other day and the terrible smooth jazz christmas songs were on. It was terrible.

My dad wrote a song about Kwanzaa. It's called Have a Qumba Kwanzaa. It's actually quite good; perhaps I will sing it at the UCSP tonight.

_________________
Dear Baby, Please be independent. Love, Mom -SAC

I don't like Christmas, that's why! It's cold and yucky and everyone keeps on shopping for one another! And there's far too many HAMs and far too many grouchy faces like mine! Yell!

Luckily, I lived with you and hang out with you alot so it's like I'm having a MaryX-Mas all the time. =P

_________________
"What is within shall now be without. / Don't just dance - you must throw down."

| Sarah |

The New Orleans Christmas album has a ton of dancible swing. The song that will really kick you in the pants though, is "Santa's Second Line" by the New Birth Brass Band. Good night that's crazy Christmas jam circle song! Actually, the feel reminds me of the song the Southside Aces did during the jam circle at the Midwestern Balboa Swing Festival at the Naughty Lounge (hot!).

Another favorite that's probably from the 30's is "Little Jack Frost, Get Lost" from Frankie Carle & his Orchestra with vocals from Marjorie Holmes. It's a sweet little ditty without being too much holiday and a little more about the season.

Yippeeee!!! Tomorrow will be the pinnacle for HAM and then I will be spared from HAM for 10 months! Today and tomorrow will certainly be joyous occasions to celebrate.

_________________
Dear Baby, Please be independent. Love, Mom -SAC