1. Christmas music might be my favorite part of the season, and I've spent the last week or so fine-tuning the ultimate Pandora Christmas station. The very worst Christmas music is ostentatious and diva-driven; the very best is still, solemn, and beautiful. In an effort to sift out the chaff, I've seeded the station with a choice blend of 'classical' and contemporary music. I dare you to judge my choices. This year's newfound gem is the warm, hearthy choral work of Vaughan Williams. Although an agnostic, he was devoted to spreading Christmas cheer, writing a fantasia on Christmas carols alongside a ballet score for Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Listen and enjoy, I entreat you.
2. My wife and I can't stomach the idea of Christmas at 75 degrees. So, instead of staying in Texas, we've arranged to be here on Christmas eve. A prediction: best Christmas ever.
7 comments:
luckyyyyyy!
I think you got it mixed up. Despite having little or no non-vocal talent, Mariah Carie does a great Christmas. I didn't make to your favorite song on your station, but some of it was great and some of it was just putrid-I can't believe one person created that statition; it is all over the place. Have a Merry Christmas in Dunblane! (Or is that Dumblane-you have only yourself to blame for that one)
I would say I'm jealous of your Christmas in Scotland, but I'd much rather be with my family this year. I hope it's an awesome trip, though!
Puls: I'm forced to disagree and argue that you have it backwards. I grudgingly admit that Mariah Carey is quite proficient technically--her vocal range is astoundingly wide, for example--but she hasn't got a shred of style or artistry.
Regarding the station, it WAS seeded for classical/modern diversity, trying to get a good mix of traditional music and modern interpretations. I've also spent time thumbsing-up and -down (Bach yes, Handel no; Sufjan Stevens yes, Death Cab no). But Pandora is always trying to show you new stuff, and sometimes it guesses wrong. Probably that explains much of the putrescence.
I was going to say: I am enjoying Sufjan Holiday on Pandora. Good stuff. Can't really go wrong.
And also: Are you guys really going to Dunblane?! That is so awesome. Can I go too???
Have fun!
I like Mariah Carey, but mostly for her Christmas Album. One new Christmas gem that I discovered that you may have heard of is Candlelight Carol, I think by John Rutter. We sang it for our ward Christmas program and it is just great. Merry Christmas in Scotland!
p.s. I have not tried out your station yet, but I will. Soon.
Marie: Yes. We're spending the week or so of Christmas in Scotland. You may not come along.
Saw: I've heard a lot of John Rutter this year, and he's great for Christmas music. I don't know if I've heard the song you mention, but if I did I probably liked it...
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