Top 5 Christmas Carol CDs

What is a Christmas carol anyway? By definition, it is a carol, song, or hymn, whose lyrics are entirely about the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general, which are usually sung before Christmas Day. Now the tradition of Christmas carols hails back as far as the thirteenth century, although carols were originally communal songs sung during celebrations like harvest tide as well as Christmas. Later, carols were sung in church and were associated with Christmas. Thus, traditional Christmas carols focus on the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus and other Christmas songs focus on winter scenes, family gatherings, and Santa Claus.

Now that I've touched basis on what a Christmas carol actually is, I want you to check out the following top 5 Christmas Carol CDs and where you can purchase them for the least amount of money possible as a great Christmas gift for that special someone. With the economy in an uproar, every penny counts. And if you spend money, you want to get your money's worth, right? As far as Christmas carols is concerned, I choose to shop at www.amazon.com, since they tend to have the best prices in town. And the best thing about it is that you don't have to leave the privacy of your own home to buy anything nor do you have to fight all those crowds at the shopping centers or at the malls. Their prices are relatively reasonable and you can have your selections shipped within a few days. And shipping is also inexpensive. Look, convenience and just in time for Christmas!

"A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra"

by Frank Sinatra (Original Recording Remastered)

Did you know this was Frank Sinatra's first full-length Christmas album? Well, it was! Not to mention the fact that it features the Ralph Brewer Singers with an orchestra conducted by legendary Gordon Jenkins. This classic pop album had an original release date of 1957, whereas the audio CD was released on August 24, 1999. Its label was Capitol Records. You can also purchase songs on audio cassette and MP3 download. This CD is the perfect Christmas gift, especially if that special someone likes having a touch of the Hollywood golden era their fingertips. Frank Sinatra was from the old school but he sure knew how to serenade the ladies and remain a true tough guy at the same time. Must be that New York City background. At www.amazon.com, your price will range from $4.40 (new) to $1.99 (used), plus $2.98 for shipping and handling. You won't break the bank with this one and you will definitely get more than your money's worth.

Songs from the CD include:

Jingle Bells

The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)

Mistletoe and Holly

I'll Be Home for Christmas

The Christmas Waltz

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

My First Noel

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Adeste Fideles

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Silent Night

White Christmas

The Christmas Waltz (Alternate Version)

"Motown Christmas"

by Various Artists (Extra Tracks) (Original Recording Remastered)

Of course, the label is Motown and my favorite songs from this soulful classic include the Jackson 5's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,' Frosty the Snowman," and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." Other favorites include The Temptations with "Silent Night" and "My Christmas Tree." Nothing but soul for ya! Classic for the taking! With an audio CD release date of October 5, 1999, this masterpiece was originally released in the 70's. You can purchase at www.amazon.com from $5.80 (new) to $7.97 (used), plus $2.98 for shipping and handling.

Songs from the CD include:

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Haven Gillespie

What Christmas Means to Me - Anna Gordy Gaye

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Johnny Marks

My Favorite Things - Richard Rodgers

Deck the Halls/Bring a Torch - Isabella Jeannette - Traditional

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Tommie Connors

Ave Maria - Franz Schubert

Silent Night - Franz Gruber

Little Christmas Tree - George Clinton

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Traditional

The Christmas Song - Mel Torme

Joy to the World - Lowell Mason

The Little Drummer Boy - Katherine Davis

Silver Bells - Ray Evans

Someday at Christmas - Bryan Wells

Frosty the Snowman - Steve E. Nelson

Jingle Bells - J. S. Pierpont

My Christmas Tree - Jimmy Webb

White Christmas - Irving Berlin

One Little Christmas Tree - Bryan Wells

Give Love on Christmas Day - Berry Gordy, Jr.

It's Christmas Time - Stevie Wonder

The Children's Christmas Song - Harvey Fuqua

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Hugh Martin

I Want to Come Home for Christmas - Marvin Gaye

"Merry Christmas"

by Nat King Cole

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, and with smoothing unforgettable ballets like "Mona Lisa" and "Unforgettable," Nat King Cole couldn't help but produce a dynamic album filled with some pretty interesting Christmas carol music. He also teams up with some of the most amazing artists of our time. By the time of his death on February 15, 1965, he was already a musical genius. That being said, he finally received the honor he undoubtedly deserved, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 6, 2000. Even though his music venue was far from Rock and Roll, he was finally honored for his contribution to the music industry. And, legendary singer, Ray Charles was his presenter. From one of the greatest voices of the 20th Century, this holiday classic features the infamous single, "The Christmas Song," written by Mel Torme. At www.amazon.com the prices ranges from (new) to (used), plus $2.98 for shipping and handling.

Songs from the CD include:

The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole and Mel Torme

Deck the Halls - Nat King Cole and Edith Bergdahl

Frosty the Snowman - Nat King Cole and Steve E. Nelson

I Saw Three Ships - Nat King Cole, William Sandys

Buon Natale (Means Merry Christmas to You) - Nat King Cole and Frank Linale

Adeste Fideles - Nat King Cole and Frederick Oakeley

O Little Town of Bethlehem - Nat King Cole and Phillip Brooks

The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot - Nat King Cole and Michael Carr

O Tannenbaum - Nat King Cole, Traditional

The First Noel - Nat King Cole and William Sandys

The Little Christmas Tree - Nat King Cole and M. Rooney

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Nat King Cole and Felix Mendelssohn

The Happiest Christmas Tree - Nat King Cole and Cathy Lynn

Joy to the World - Nat King Cole and Lowell Mason

O Holy Night - Nat King Cole and Adolphe Adam

Caroling, Caroling - Nat King Cole and Alfred Burt

A Cradle in Bethlehem - Nat King Cole and Alfred Bryan

Away in a Manger - Nat King Cole, Traditional

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Nat King Cole, Traditional

Silent Night - Nat King Cole and Franz Gruber

"Happy Holidays to You"

by The Whispers

With an original release date of 1979, this R&B/dance vocal group, who hailed from Los Angeles, California, under the label entitled, "The Right Stuff," sung every song in perfect harmony. Led by twin brothers, Wallace and Walter Scott, the audio CD was released on October 15, 1996 and consists of one disc. You can purchase the CD at www.amazon.com from $7.80 (new) to $5.69 (used), plus $2.98 for shipping and handling. It available in audio CD, audio cassette, and MP3 download.

Songs from the CD include:

Funky Christmas - The Whispers and Bobby Caldwell

This Time of Year - The Whispers and Bobby Caldwell

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - The Whispers and J. Fred Coots

Happy Holidays to You - The Whispers, Wood

A Very Special Holiday - The Whispers, Hines

This Christmas - The Whispers and Donny Hathaway

The Christmas Song - The Whispers and Mel Torme

White Christmas - The Whispers and Irving Berlin

"My Gift to You"

by Alexander O'Neal (Original Recording Reissued) (Original Recording Remastered)

The album was originally released in 1988 and the label was with Virgin Records. The audio CD, finally released in October 22, 2002, consists of an excellent mix of contemporary and traditional songs and arrangements, brought together by the likes of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It consists of one disc.

The soundtrack includes the following songs, with "Sleigh Ride" being my all-time favorite. It has an uplifting, funky beat and it has the great soulful sounds of sexy vocalist, Alexander O'Neal. Then we have the romantic, "Our First Christmas" and the Christmas tale, "Remember Why (It's Christmas)." The CD is also available in Audio CD and Audio cassette and is can be purchased at www.amazon.com from $18.99 (new) to $13.74 (used), plus $2.98 for shipping and handling. Sure, it cost more than the others but, I assure you, it is worth every penny. For that person who likes to get up and shake a leg, they will literally exhaust themselves with this CD.

My Gift to You

Sleigh Ride - Alexander O'Neal and Leroy Anderson

Our First Christmas

Remember Why (It's Christmas)

The Little Drummer Boy - Alexander O'Neal and Katherine Davis

The Christmas Song - Alexander O'Neal and Mel Torme

This Christmas - Alexander O'Neal and Bob Marsh

Winter Wonderland - Alexander O'Neal and Felix Bernard

Thank You for a Good Year

Remember Why (It's Christmas) (Reprise)