Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Top Christmas Albums of 2012: Something for Everyone




Here at BEING, we enjoy sharing the best of everything with you. Beginning this weekend, the spirit of Christmas will add beautiful sights, scents and sounds to our world.  As music lovers, the latter is especially important, so here are our top picks for new Christmas music in various genres from Pop to Rock, and from Classical to Country, with a little something thrown in for the kids. Remember, everyone loves the gift of music! 

Christmas in the Sand by Colbie Caillat

Colbie Caillat's first Christmas album was bound to happen sooner or later. This multi-Grammy Award winner from Malibu, California has spent many a Christmas in sand and surf. The idea for this album, conceived on a beach in Hawaii, led to funny songs about Santa surfing, the elves frolicking in the water and Colbie dancing on the beach. It's Christmas in a funny, wacky way that's sure to be a hit with teens, young adults and everyone who's young at heart.

Home for Christmas by Danny Wright

This album with  Danny Wright on the piano is the perfect Christmas gift for a sophisticated lady who's turned on by the music of David Lanz, Beethoven, Gershwin or Sondheim. Named by Billboard as one of the Top 10 New Age Artists, Danny Wright plays Christmas favorites from “Silent Night” to “Winter Wonderland” in his own elegant, inimitable way.

This Is Christmas by Katherin Jenkins

Only Christmas songs from a classical-crossover artist like Katherine Jenkins can overwhelm you with sound and spirit. The two-time Classical BRIT Awardee puts together an album that is a captivating mix of traditional holiday favorites and contemporary carols from around the world, including one featuring Placido Domingo.

On This Winter's Night by Lady Antebellum

Christmas always brings back thoughts of home. These songs by GRAMMY® Award winner Lady Antebellum will make every grownup wish he or she were home for Christmas. This chart-busting country pop trio puts together 12 traditional Christmas songs with the unique vocal blend that has won them almost every country music award there is.

Merry Christmas, Baby by Rod Stewart

Only one of the top 100 Greatest Singers of All Time can make your Christmas rock the way Rod Stewart does. The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame inductee has released the first Christmas album of his career including duets with Michael Buble and Ella Fitzgerald.

Christmas Joy SA-CD by Fiona Joy Hawkins

Piano sensation, singer and composer Fiona Joy Hawkins brings the Celtic and New Age rhythms to Christmas songs. She puts together the sounds of the Australian didgeridoo, Paraguayan harp, and other instruments to give Christmas music an entirely new slant.  Also available in Super Audio (SA-CD), it will delight audiophiles everywhere!


Taking their famous jazz sound, the Lounge Lizards have given Christmas a Bossa Nova style, adding a warm tropical rhythm to old favorites like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman”.


Kids of all ages will love this reissue with different mixes and takes that will make their favorite characters live again in music and song. Don't be surprised if it brings back memories of watching A Charlie Brown Christmas with your family many Christmases ago.

And speaking of shopping, the ironic and iconic image above is of a 40-ft. high Christmas tree made of shopping carts, taken in Venice Beach last year.  Merry Christmas everyone!


We enjoyed reviewer John Olsen's review of the lovely Ms. Susan Boyle so much that we wanted to share it with you over this holiday break. We hope you'll take the time to relax and enjoy...

Standing Ovation: The Greatest Songs From The Stage by Susan Boyle
It can be said the life story of Susan Boyle is an inspiration to those who know her best, but by all accounts, Susan Boyle is an inspiration to untold millions of people worldwide. It’s as if her sudden rise to stardom after appearing on the television reality show Britain’s Got Talent was meant to be, if not a dream come true.
Now with the prominence of a top ranked seasoned professional, best-selling albums, and top of the chart success covering five continents in over twenty countries, once again she is destined to sing her way into the hearts of millions.  (Click here to continue reading....)