Music for the Trip to Serenity

by Arlene Guillen

It's tempting to pair Serenity with the holiday season. It sounds like something you'd read in a Christmas card. But in reality, Serenity and the days leading up to Christmas couldn't be further apart. You're searching for the right gifts, attending holiday parties, drinking and eating too much. And all of this can be quite stressful. So stressful in fact, that you'd be too preoccupied to know if Serenity showed up at your door before December 24th. I think that Serenity shows up on Christmas Eve, because it's just too late to do one more thing, so you give up and relax. The holiday season is really the trip to Serenity. And every trip needs traveling music, so I have a selection of holiday CD's for you to take on the ride.

Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song This is "chestnuts roasting on an open fire," for those of you who can never remember a title. No holiday music collection is complete without this standard CD. It is the building block with which all successful Christmas music collections begin. And you want to do this trip to Serenity right, don't you? "The Christmas Song" was introduced by Nat King Cole in 1946, and was written by jazz singer, Mel Tormé. Nat's version of this song is considered to be the definitive version. You also get to hear favorites like "Joy to the World" and "Silent Night." For those of you who only know three Christmas songs and seem to interchange the lyrics of "Deck the Halls" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman," this is an important step for you.

Anna Maria Mendieta - Enchanted Christmas Never heard of Anna Maria Mendieta? Neither had I until I picked up this harp and chamber ensemble recording. Now, I'm not a huge harp fan, but if you feel the need to buy a harp CD, Christmas music is definitely a good choice. In fact, I find that when someone is on my last nerve during the holidays and I am desperately needing Serenity, I put on this CD in the hopes that I can channel something that will make me not want to kill that poor soul. See? We're already on our way to Serenity. "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and "Ave Maria" are my two personal faves. If you are one of those folks that likes to listen to prelude music at a Catholic Christmas mass, then this is for you.

The Manhattan Transfer - The Christmas Album Nothing gets me out of the holiday spirit more than listening to Bono sing Christmas music. Just doesn't do it for me. I prefer the very traditional approach: big lush arrangements with horns and strings and beautiful harmonies. The Manhattan Transfer know how to do this, and with the help of arranger extraordinaire, Johnny Mandel, they have come up with a collection of songs that you listen to again and again. Their medley of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town/Santa Man" has everyone in the room toe tapping or just plain dancing around. This is a perfect CD to put on when you are hosting the tree trimming party.

The Chipmunks - Greatest Christmas Hits I bet you didn't know the Chipmunks had a "Greatest Hits" CD of any kind let alone a "Greatest Hits" of Christmas music. A younger generation has dogs barking "Jingle Bells." I have chipmunks singing "Silver Bells." You will definitely want to listen through to the very last song--which is their very own Christmas song, "Christmas Don't Be Late." This might also be one that you'd want to listen to alone...

James Taylor - A Christmas Album It's new, it's out and it's mine! James Taylor has teamed up with jazzman Dave Gruisin to give his solid multigenerational fan base his very first Christmas CD. The track for which I keep hitting the repeat button is JT's duet with Natalie Cole, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Wonderful! He does a beautiful rendition of "Some Children See Him," with a string arrangement that reaches into your heart. This CD is only sold through Hallmark stores, and I understand that some have already sold out of it. Your holiday music collection could be woefully lacking if you didn't run and get this one.

When you've arrived at Serenity on the 24th, imagine how your world of Christmas music will have expanded! You will be among the Falalalala elite and can quietly hum the Chipmunk Christmas Song, as you put the final touches on the gift wrapping while sipping your eggnog.

Merry Christmas.

The Author

Arlene Guillen is a writer and artist living in Southern California with her husband and toddler son. She has booked jazz groups for corporate and private events in Southern California for ten years and can break down sound equipment and bandstands in record time(even when she wears heels). She is currently working on a guidebook to the Great American Songbook for the uninitiated.