In Canada, we have Thanksgiving in October. So, as soon as November 11th is observed, it is game on for Christmas advertising, shopping, and the START of the odd Christmas song being shuffled on.

Now, we haven't had a particularly snowy Autumn yet, and that is what honestly triggers it for me.

But I JUST found Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas album and it is damn good. It's the kinda jazz that approaches funky though it precedes Funk - I think because it's got "swing".

Anyway, I know it is still awfully early and Americans haven't had Thanksgiving or Black Friday yet. I am not playing Christmas every day yet but I won't stop now if I want to hear a song here and there.

Remember Kathleen Battle who sang opera on Janet Jackson's "This Time"? I just found her 1986 Christmas CD.

Kellys 2nd Christmas album just came out. I really liked the last one.

EmmaMcG said:

I'm due to give birth within the next week so I had to make sure all my Christmas shopping was done early this year. So my Christmas preparations started in October. And yes, that includes listening to Christmas songs.

CONGRATULATIONS! Oh, that is lovely.

Cinny said:

Just bought the new 2021 vinyl pressing of this with the original album art:

paisleypark4 said:

Kellys 2nd Christmas album just came out. I really liked the last one.

Her first one for sure was one of the only recent albums with worthy originals to add to the Christmas canon. I am interested too!

kitbradley said:

One of our local radio stations went 100% Christmas music a couple weeks ago. I have been listening to that. I myself have not pulled out any holidsy CDs but I will probably grab my Mariah CDs next week.😁

alphastreet said:

One of our radio stations plays all Christmas music for a couple of months, so I heard a little bit last night Also, I wrote and recorded a Christmas song years ago so I’ve heard that recently

Our stations haven't flipped over yet, though they already had in 2020 by this time. Like I said, no one is quite ready yet until it gets snowy.

I got some Christmas tracks I produced in 1999 and 2001 I always dig out.

Cinny said:

paisleypark4 said:

Kellys 2nd Christmas album just came out. I really liked the last one.

Her first one for sure was one of the only recent albums with worthy originals to add to the Christmas canon. I am interested too!

Yes. Her voice is getting better and better.

Jojo also had a good one. The song "December Baby" was funky too.

[Edited 11/17/21 14:26pm]

Cinny said:

Cinny said:

I've been listening to Morris Day's Christmas song (Cooler Than Santa Claus) and a song by Jose Feliciano called The Cherry Tree Carol all this entire year. About a month ago I watched the Last Christmas video by Wham!, which has been restored into 4K. Recently I listened to a Clarence Carter singles compilation CD I have and it has Back Door Santa on it. You might know it as Christmas In Hollis by Run-DMC.

MickyDolenz said:

Recently I listened to a Clarence Carter singles compilation CD I have and it has Back Door Santa on it. You might know it as Christmas In Hollis by Run-DMC.

"Back Door Santa" is a damn funky Christmas tune. Reminds me, I bought the Record Store Day 12" of Christmas In Hollis b/w Peter Piper and the INSTRUMENTALS for both.

EmmaMcG said:

Cinny said:

CONGRATULATIONS! Oh, that is lovely.

Thanks I'd highly recommend Shakin' Stevens Christmas album. I don't know how well known Shakin' Stevens is over in Canada (I'm guessing he's not) but he was an Elvis-type rocknroller from the 80s. He had a lot of big hits in Europe that still get played a lot today. Especially his song "Merry Christmas Everyone", which you really can't avoid over here at Christmas time. His cover of Blue Christmas is also worth checking out. But what a lot of people don't know is that he released an entire album of Christmas songs. I'm sure the whole thing is up in YouTube or whatever and like I said, I'd highly recommend it.

Yeah, we get UK stuff as well!

paisleypark4 said:

Cinny said:

Her first one for sure was one of the only recent albums with worthy originals to add to the Christmas canon. I am interested too!

Yes. Her voice is getting better and better.

Jojo also had a good one. The song "December Baby" was funky too.

I remember that from last year! I really liked "Holidays" by Meghan Trainor featuring Earth Wind & Fire last year but it is now unfortunately linked mentally to a very lonely distanced 2020 Christmas.

MickyDolenz said:

I've been listening to Morris Day's Christmas song (Cooler Than Santa Claus)

That one is super fun.

Only ABBA's "Little Things" because it's in the middle of their new album Voyage. It will be released as a CD single this year.



Otherwise, I prefer to wait until my Christmas tree is up after Thanksgiving to listen to Christmas music and start on my growing list of holiday movies.

sexton said:

Only ABBA's "Little Things" because it's in the middle of their new album Voyage. It will be released as a CD single this year.



Otherwise, I prefer to wait until my Christmas tree is up after Thanksgiving to listen to Christmas music and start on my growing list of holiday movies.

Interesting! I have actually yet to give that new ABBA a spin.

alphastreet said:

Cinny said:

Our stations haven't flipped over yet, though they already had in 2020 by this time. Like I said, no one is quite ready yet until it gets snowy.

I got some Christmas tracks I produced in 1999 and 2001 I always dig out.

Cool! I wrote and produce mine in 1999 as well! Yeah 98.1 chfi often switches to Christmas format every year

Thanks for the heads-up! I am streaming it now. I am in charge of the playlist for a Christmas party in 24 days, so I am getting some inspiration now.

Hamad said:

Still on the fence about Christmas music, I try my best though especially if it’s an artist I love. I dig the few Christmas cuts Aretha did for Columbia records.

Is it "Kissing By The Mistletoe"?

Cinny said:

Cinny said:

I'm hearing nothing but Christmas songs right now on the Stephanie Mills and Chaka Kahn Verzuz show.

Yesterday, I bought:
ABBA - Voyage (track three "Little Things" lyrically is a family Christmas morning scene)
Eric Clapton - Happy Xmas (great album only a couple years old but I heard lots at work)
Kelly Clarkson - When Christmas Comes Around (NEW this year)
Disney Holidays
Holly Johnson - It's A Snow Globe World
Norah Jones - I Dream Of Christmas (NEW this year)
Anne Murray - Christmas
Here Comes Santa Claus - 29 Swinging Chestnuts (check out that tracklist!)
Dolly Parton - A Holly Dolly Christmas (2020)
Steve Perry - The Season (NEW this year)
Shaggy - Christmas In The Islands (NEW this year)
The Tenors - Christmas Together
Carrie Underwood - My Gift (NEW this year)