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Showing posts with label Christmas music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas music. Show all posts

The Best 2021 Christmas Albums!

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The Beat! has our annual "Best Christmas Music!"


Think you will agree that each of this year's selections for 2021 is perfect holiday music. 


  • Brett Eldredge
  • Norah Jones
  • Kelly Clarkson
  • Darren Criss
  • Zachary James
  • Morgan James


If you are looking for some perfect music to listen to and/or purchase for a gift these above six are GRADE A!. Do you have a favorite? Happy listening!!!!







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The Best 2020 Christmas Albums!

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My biggest apologies my fellow "The Beat!" readers. I have taken time off from my beloved online blogging and finally back! It is January though still wanted to do my -

ANNUAL "BEST OF CHRSITMAS ARTICLE!"

Please take a look at what I found to be the very best of the best for this past Christmas season and see if we align. Feel free to leave comment, would love to (as always) hear from you all. 

As always it is a true pleasure to talk all things music and share with my fellow readers. Look forward in doing more articles this 2021 which has had a rocky start thus far though has to be better than 2020.


Take care and talk soon.




















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The Best 2019 Christmas Albums!

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 The Beat's Best Christmas 2019 Music!

As our annual article, this year is no different where we feature the Best Christmas Music of 2019! "The Beat!" scoured internationally and of all musical genres to choose (as usual) the BEST OF THE BEST! Hope you enjoy this year's top of the list and share your thoughts on any that perhaps are noteworthy mentions that did not make the cut (were just one branch away).

The following are the "Must Have's" for Xmas 2019:

1) The McCrary Sisters - A Very McCrary Christmas

2) Idina Menzel (appearing for the 2nd time on our annual list) - Christmas: A Season of Love

3) Chicago - Chicago Christmas

4) Lea Michele - Christmas In The City

5) Lincoln Brewster - A Mostly Acoustic Christmas

6) Robbie Williams - The Christmas Present

7) Danny Gokey - The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Collection

8) Los Lobos -  Llegó Navidad

 9) The Oak Ridge Boys - Down Home Christmas

 Noteworthy Xmas 2019 Music:

 Ne-Yo - Another Kind of Christmas



Bryan Adams - Christmas (EP)













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The Best Christmas 2018 Releases!

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It is that time of year where we put the tree up, shop till we drop, ginger and mint everything known to man up, it is Christmas! I absolutely adore this time of year and the music it brings along with the happy memories. I always bring out my favorite music albums and check-out the new. As always there are the "must haves" and the "what were they thinking and/or on?!" Some of my favorite artists have either struck gold or failed miserably when releasing a holiday album. This year is like others where I want to feature many of what I found to be the best which can be pushed from a large studio or more independent.

This year I am very excited that artists like John Legend, Eric Clapton, Diana Ross, Cece Winans, The Mavericks. Mark Vincent, Pentatonix, David Archuleta, and Ingrid Michaelson have released lovely holiday albums!!

As of this holiday season these artists have truly done their homework and released very lovely albums that each will become a classic (or at least in my catalog).  Each artist has brought a fresh feel to classics and many brand new tunes that are sorely needed and a delight. If you are looking for an enjoyable stocking stuffer, lovely tunes to play during an event or to brighten up a drive these 7 albums all from a wide array of genres and feel will bring something great. Just like everything it depends on your taste as to what one is right for you though if you are an eclectic music lover like myself than each will serve this purpose.

Happy Holidays!!!





































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Max Merseny: Have Yourself A Merry Little Xmas!

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Max Merseny - "The Beat's!" favorite saxophonist and a mainstay for us has just released a perfect Christmas Gift! Max has gifted us a lovely version of; Have Yourself  A Merry Little Christmas!



Now get you and your loved one's settled in around those Christmas trees and listen and check-out Max's brand new single and music video. As always his soulful self is within this holiday treat where he brings new life. Enjoy and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!












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John Legend Celebrates a "Legendary Christmas!"

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John Legend - a brand new holiday album is out now entitled; A Legendary Christmas with executive producer Raphael Saadiq. 

 This is John Legend's first holiday album which does not disappoint. If you like the classics from Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Nat King Cole than you will enjoy this album which still embraces the traditional with breathing a fresh new life into standards along with new songs. Great guest appearances such as Stevie Wonder plays his harmonica on the track; What Christmas Means To Me along with jazz singer Esperanza Spalding singing along in the fun tune; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. 

 During a recent appearance Legend explains;  “In the song, we talk about how frustrating it can be to look at your phone, read the news, see what’s happening,” he told the audience. “See how senators treat women who come forward with sexual abuse claims. See how people ridicule young people who march for the right to go to school without getting shot up. See how people would denigrate those who make the very simple claim that black lives matter. We can get frustrated when we see all of that, but we can’t give up. It’s not enough for us to talk about it or tweet about it, we’ve got to do something.”

A Legendary Christmas Track List
1. “What Christmas Means to Me” (featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica)2. “Silver Bells”3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (featuring Esperanza Spalding)4. “No Place Like Home”5. “Bring Me Love”6. “Merry Christmas Baby / Give Love on Christmas Day”7. “Christmas Time Is Here”8. “Waiting for Christmas”9. “Purple Snowflakes”10. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”11. “Please Come Home for Christmas”12. “Wrap Me Up in Your Love”13. “By Christmas Eve”14. “Merry Merry Christmas”

























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Leslie Odom Jr. is "Simply Christmas!"

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Leslie Odom Jr. - this Broadway star known for his role as Aaron Burr in his Tony & Grammy award winning performance in "Hamilton." We all had the pleasure to enjoy his first self-titled album released in 2014 which was pure jazz sophistication. This time Leslie releases his first holiday album entitled; "Simply Christmas"

"Simply Christmas" is full of lush and sentimental holiday classics such as; “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” “First Noel”and many others. Each I have found to be stellar between the arrangement and of course Leslie's vocals are perfect. I dare say this is one of the best Christmas albums to be released this year and deserves to be in your collection.

Official Leslie Odom Jr. iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/leslie-odom-jr./id580650079  




























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Keith Harkin's Holiday Album: Nollaig!

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Keith Harkin - the well known Irish singer has released his first solo Christmas album entitled; Nollaig (nollaig is Gaelic for Christmas). Keith decided to take a different road with his holiday album then the typical tunes, he has done many original songs and then decided upon different arrangements for the songs well know and love.

This album was released by Blue Elan records whom also earlier this year produced Keith's album; "On Mercy Street." Keith is going on the road in the USA to do intimate performances. I have to say Keith's Christmas album is superb and plays to the world we live in and enjoy, a perfect album for any fan or someone whom loves great music!

Official Keith Harkin Website: http://www.keithharkin.com/


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Celebrate Xmas with Darlene Love!

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Darlene Love - this is one singer that is a permanent fixture to the best Christmas music! When you are looking for inspirational songs to get your feet tapping and to sing out loud no matter where you are is Darlene Love! For a quick education on Darlene Love, this is one singer that has no simply appeared on the scene recently. It is rather the opposite where Darlene has been in the recording industry since the 1960s to current. She has at her beginning worked with someone whom provided a terrific medium for her music though took advantage of the situation. Utilizing Darlene's vocals for not her own material but for other girl groups with no acknowledgement which lent itself to missed opportunities financially and more. Darlene was kept from soaring and finally we have the singer at her best today!

Today, Darlene has won an Academy Award in 2014 for her major appearance in the critically acclaimed documentary; 20 Feet From Stardom. From there Darlene has received an award from the "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" in 2011 and has toured constantly with new material and performed for years on David Letterman singing her huge Christmas hit; "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)."

Great news, that during this holiday season she is coming out to a city near you bringing her seasonal charm and tunes!

Darlene Love Official Website: http://darleneloveworld.com/




Darlene Love Touring 2016/2017:























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The Best of Holiday Music 2016!

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It is our 3rd Annual; "Best of Holiday Music!" The Beat! goes over countless brand new released Christmas material to choose the Top 7 that are a "must have" for this time of year. I think for our 3rd annual we yet again did not disappoint with delivering a lovely array of musicians, enjoy!


Matt Dusk: Old School Yule!

 Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood: Christmas Together

 Loretta Lynn: White Christmas Blue

 Brett Eldridge: Glow

 Jordan Smith: 'Tis The Season

 Damian McGinty: This Christmas Time

 Kacey Musgraves: A Very Kacey Christmas


*All albums are available now at the artist's website along with Amazon, iTunes and more!!*


















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It's A Well-Strung Xmas!

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Well-Strung - I am happy to say that my favorite classic quartet has released a brand new holiday single entitled; Silent Night. The single is now available via iTunes and they also recorded a lovely music video. There is never a disappointment when it comes to the imagination and being unique in their interpretation of classical and bringing it to the masses with a new sound. Along with bringing classics to new generations taking pop hits and making them their own is fantastic. All 4 of these gentlemen are gifted and are worthy to see live during their current holiday tour and obtaining their new music whether it is the holiday single and/or album one will be happy with the purchase.





 Holiday Tour Dates:

A Well-Strung Christmas
54 Below (NYC)
December 9, 10, 14 @ 9:30 PM (Doors open 8:45 PM)
For tickets and info please visit http://54below.com/artist/well-strung/
 
Woodstock Playhouse (Woodstock, NY)
December 12 @ 7:30 PM
 
Broward Center - Amaturo Center (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
December 18 @ 7:30 PM
For tickets and info, please visit http://browardcenter.org/events/detail/a-well-strung-christmas  

The Kravis Center - Alexander W. Drefoos. Jr. Concert Hall - West Palm Beach, FL
December 19 @ 8 PM

The Abbey - (Orlando, FL) 
December 20 @ 7 pm













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The Best of Holiday Music 2015!

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The Best of Christmas 2015 Releases!

It is that time of year where we put the tree up, shop till we drop, ginger and mint everything known to man up, it is Christmas! I absolutely adore this time of year and the music it brings along with the happy memories. I always bring out my favorite music albums and check-out the new. As always there are the "must haves" and the "what were they thinking and/or on?!" Some of my favorite artists have either struck gold or failed miserably when releasing a holiday album. This year is like others where I want to feature many of what I found to be the best which can be pushed from a large studio or more independent.

This year I am very excited that artists like Patty Smyth, Kenny Rogers, Jann Arden, Kylie Minogue, Leann Rimes, Danny Gokey, and The Braxtons have released lovely holiday albums!!

As of this holiday season these artists have truly done their homework and released very lovely albums that each will become a classic (or at least in my catalog).  Each artist has brought a fresh feel to classics and many brand new tunes that are sorely needed and a delight. If you are looking for an enjoyable stocking stuffer, lovely tunes to play during an event or to brighten up a drive these 7 albums all from a wide array of genres and feel will bring something great. Just like everything it depends on your taste as to what one is right for you though if you are an eclectic music lover like myself than each will serve this purpose.

Happy Holidays!!!


















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Chrsitmas Albums 2014!

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Christmas Albums 2014 - this year we were gifted many various styles of holiday music. I am truly a big fan of this time of year and it's music though can not say just how tiring it can be when they all sound like one another. In a day and age where the Christmas season starts right at Halloween which is just too soon for me with radio stations playing 24/7 holiday tracks.

I like many others truly love this time of year. It is great to give onto others and enjoy the festive decorations and find the time to be with the one's you love. Music that can bring you back to your childhood and perhaps provide new memories to come. That being said 2014 was like any other year in the recording industry where recording artists released new holiday albums. Some as in all year's are bringing a fresh sound, new tracks which I adore then there are one's that seem to utilize the same method with jingling of bells and the same huge sound that another artist has done time and time again. In past year's artists that have in my book whom successfully recorded albums for the holiday season have been; Kelly Clarkson, Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jr., Natalie Cole, Sarah Brightman, Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers, Lorrie Morgan, Vanessa Williams, Jonny Blu, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and others.

2014, brought us several albums whom each placed hopes that theirs will become a staple in one's household and strikes that perfect chord to one's ears. I am giving you my favorite's of 2014 that were released this year. There are MANY and these I found were truly beautifully done, unique, and simply stood out! There in my book are a must for holiday listening.

  1. Renee Fleming - Christmas In New York





2. Idina Menzel - Holiday Wishes


3. Darius Rucker - Home for the Holidays



4. Leann Rimes - One Christmas, Chapter One


5. Anthony Hamilton - Home For The Holidays



6. Michael W. Smith & Friends - The Spirit of Christmas


7. Pentatonix - That's Christmas to Me






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