Not all Christmas music has words; there are many lovely instrumental arrangements of old and new classics out there. While I’m not particularly fond of the style, one of the more popular “new” ones is Transsiberian Orchestra’s “Wizards of Winter” – in this video, it accompanies a really cool light show:
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Many people also like Mannheim Steamroller; they aren’t my cup of tea, but lots of people seem to like their version of “Deck the Halls”:
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This is actually more to my liking – an orchestral arrangement of “Carol of the Bells”, conducted by Leonard Bernstein:
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Here is the “Wassail Song (Here We Come A-Wassailing)” by the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble:
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Musicians in the audience will get a real kick out of this one – “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” juxtaposed against “Pachelbel’s Canon” (it’s scary how well they work together!):
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I ran across this one, and HAD to include it – those of us over a “certain age” may remember records by this group that our parents listened to when we were growing up (anyone else remember the girl covered in “Whipped Cream” on that album cover?).
You don’t hear stuff like this on the air much any more, which is a real shame. Anyway, here’s Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass doing “My Favorite Things” (I love the “James Bond Theme” undertones throughout this song):
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I’m going to leave you guys with the TJB’s version of “Jingle Bell Rock” – I am NOT responsible for any articles of clothing that may end up flying around the room at the end of this one (you’ll understand what I mean once you listen to it):
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Have a great one!
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Koch's Tour 
Instrumental day, and no Mannheim Steamroller? Hmmm.
Nice choices, though. Love Wizards of Winter.
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Gah, missed the second one! Stupid popup blocker at work.
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I was wondering how you missed that….. 😛
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I love the burlesque ending to Jingle Bell Rock!
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Wasn’t that a hoot? I HAD to include that clip…… 😛
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I love these — especially “Canon in D/Jolly Old St. Nicholas.” I heard “One Tin Soldier” in that one also (beginning about 1:35).
And yes, I do remember that Herb Alpert album with the girl covered in whipped cream — it was considered very racy back then — my mother (God rest her soul) was scandalized when she saw it. ☺
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I remember seeing it in my parents’ stereo cabinet – at the time, I never realized it was considered “racy”; I always thought the lady was pretty (of course, I was an innocent child back then….)
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HAHAHA!!! My dad passed that album and many other HA albums to me!!
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Why Pachebel goes with everything: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM
I’m a little older than you- my HA memories are of clumping around the floor at ballroom dancing school to the strains of “Tiajuana Taxi”. with a young man soaked in English Leather.
Good times…
And yes, the cover was considered ‘naughty’.
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