Can’t get enough of that holiday music! So I thought I’d share my latest mix that I made for my students at Columbia College Chicago. You can either just enjoy the music and videos, or even “build it yourself” for future use. These are selections by artists that we studied this semester. Some from the text covering 1920 through 1969, and some were artists who came to Chicago this semester. The cover is one of my best friends sitting on my lap back in the day when Aunt Terri doubled as Santa. Big fun. Even when the adults sat on my lap. Merry Christmas everybody!

1. Christmas Time (Is Here Again) – The Beatles
Well, DUH. Great place to start. And yes, we did study the Beatles this semester! This is available on the
Free As A Bird EP. You can find that at Amazon on CD or 7″ vinyl.

2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Ella Fitzgerald
Ella’s one of the great jazz singers we covered. Simply the best. This swingin’ version is on several Ella
Christmas collections. Available on iTunes.

3. A Child Is Born – Rihanna
From Ella to Rihanna. Keeps the students (most of them) awake. Nice reggae feel. On Now That’s What I Call
Christmas Vol 4, or as a single on iTunes.

4. Jingle Bells – The Mills Brothers
The Fab Four from my hometown of Piqua, Ohio. Their harmonies influenced the Doo Wop groups and all of the male
vocal groups of Motown. I can’t believe it’s not posted on youtube. It is available on several Mills Brothers
Christmas collections and on iTunes.

5. The Man With All The Toys – The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson and Christmas. Ahhh. These guys ruled the USA in the early 60′s and held their own during the
British Invasion. The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album was released in 1964 and has held up as a classic ever since.
This song was a hit for that holiday season. On iTunes.

6. Christmas In The City – Everest
Nice moody holiday song from a band that has done so many XRT shows we’ve called them our House Band. It’s on a
collection called Gift Wrapped Vol 2: Snowed In which features holiday songs by Oasis, Tegan & Sara, Devo,
Flaming Lips and others. Available everywhere.

7. Merry Christmas, Terri – Buddy Guy
Yeah, he was singing to me. Wow. Not in print. Never was. Take my class. You’ll get your own copy next year.

8. Another Lonely Christmas – Prince
Who else would sing about swimming naked in a Christmas song. That’s Prince. If you have his collection The
Hits/The B Sides you have this. If not, iTunes.

9. Go Tell It On The Mountain – John Scofield & the Wild Magnolias
If this is the only Christmas song you buy this year, go for it. Great jazz guitarist teamed up with Mardi Gras Indians doing a traditional spiritual. In fact, spring for the whole CD, World Christmas. Features world music and jazz artists that will knock you out of Christmas music doldrums. Available everywhere.

10. The Last Month Of The Year – The Staples Singers
OK, buy two Christmas CD’s this year, and make this the other one. Young Mavis, Pops and the family released an album in 1962 called the 25th Day Of December. Lord have mercy. Not difficult to find. On iTunes.

Back tomorrow with part 2.