From the ceiling of the convenience store where I also work (besides here) oozes Muzak; predictably, the day after Thanksgiving about half the rotation was given over to various renditions of modern popular Cristmas music... so that by the end of my shift that day I had already heard more than enough to last me the whole season.

But I've been saved from absolute Grinchiness by the timely offerings of the local public radio, whose programming is mostly classical [Beethoven's birthday on the 16th was a blessing too, as they featured his work all this past week]. I trace my love for vocal music, from plainchant through Baroque, to Christmas carols - my search for other music of like sound led me back to Elizabethan, sideways into British and Celtic traditional and forward again up the folkways, and I've discovered even more songs of the season.

Here's some:

Any or all of the Windham Hill Winter Solstice sampler series. Special mention goes to "Peace on Earth" by John Gorka on either the second or third of the series.

Another sampler, with readings as well as music, produced by WGBH and available through their website: A Celtic Christmas Sojourn, which I just heard last night on the radio.

"Gaudete" from Below the Salt by Steeleye Span

The Bells of Dublin, by The Chieftans and some guests, including Elvis Costello, the McGarrigle sisters, and Jackson Browne.

... and of course, there's always Handel's Messiah

Enjoy!

E'