Christmas Music - U2

They were the superband of the 80s, and then some. They continue to put out music that is constantly evolving, never just the same old, same old. The last time I saw them was on the Joshua Tree tour, and they were at Giants Stadium. The seats were quite a distance away, but thanks to the video screens, I saw some stuff. But it was great hearing some of that music live! No matter, they also did a few holiday songs, and here they are.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)


I Believe In Father Christmas


For more about U2, visit their website here.

Christmas Music - Chris Isaak

Oh, what sexy, sexy man. With his good looks, self-deprecating sense of humor, and a voice that is as smooth as silk, Chris Isaak makes me a happy man. Since I first heard Wicked Game, and then saw the video, I knew I was hooked. That was 1990, and I still can't help but buy whatever this man puts out. That includes the 2004 album, Christmas. Here are some of the songs you can find on that album.

Christmas Medley


Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer


Hey Santa!


You can find more on Chris Isaak at his official website here.

Christmas Music - Brian Setzer Orchestra

Brian Setzer graduated from his time with the Stray Cats to make a solo career for himself, sticking to the throw-back sound of Rockabilly. And that makes for some great Christmas music, you know? Here he is, looking a little older, a little less 'bad boy,' but rockin' out nonetheless!

Jingle Bells


Blue Christmas


Angels We Have Heard On High


For more on Brian Setzer, find his official website here.

Christmas Music - Anthony Callea - Hymns

As previously stated, I love to listen to Anthony Callea sing. His voice is just amazing to me, and I am just so jealous of the Australians who get to see and hear him on their television, let alone live and in person. Once again this year, Anthony will be performing at Carols by Candlelight, a charitable function in Melbourne, on Christmas Eve. And once again, I will be scouring the web searching for clips and hoping I could have been there myself. So here are clips of him singing Silent Night, O Holy Night, and Ave Maria. They are just beyond description to me.

Silent Night (2006)


O Holy Night (2007)


Ave Maria (2008)


For more about Anthony, you can check out his website here. You can find out more about Tim at his website, here. For further information on Carols by Candlelight, click here.

Free Download - Jay Brannan

Jay Brannan is offering a song as a Christmas present to fans, old and new. The song is Ever After Happily, originally offered as a bonus track on an iTunes purchase. The download will be available today, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 23-25, 2009. I know I rushed to download it, as I didn't have it, having purchased the physical CD for Goddamned. Now I have it! Here is a live version of the song.



So, if you want to complete your collection, or just give Jay's music a try, this is a perfect opportunity for you! Click here to start the download process!

Christmas Music - Barenaked Ladies

The band is irreverent, clever, silly, and self=deprecating, and also has some fun music that is full of joy and hooks. Barenaked Ladies are Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson and Tyler Stewart, a Canadian band with a couple of hit songs, including One Week, which went #1 in the US and all around the world in 1998. In 2004 they released Barenaked for the Holidays, and I love it very much. If you don't own it, you should.

Elf's Lament


God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings featuring Sarah McLachlan


For more on Barenaked Ladies, check out their website here. You can purchase Barenaked for the Holidays at Amazon.com for $8.99 here.

Christmas Music - JR Richards

I have an immense craving for the voice of JR Richards, former front-man of Dishwalla. I posted about his solo release, the lush and gorgeous A Beautiful End, as well as his time with Dishwalla. Well, he wrote and performed First Christmas after the passing of his father, so it is a very personal statement about the holidays.



You can check out JR Richards on his website here, or check out his beautiful version of Silent Night on his MySpace page here.