My 6 Favorite Christmas Albums

Here we are just nine days left until Christmas. Even though there are probably thousands of these types of lists online I wanted to give my list of some of the most memorable Christmas albums that I have listened to. I'm not necessarily saying that any of these belong on the "greatest of all time" list, but they are ones that stood out to me at various times in my life. Basically this is my list and I can put on it what I want. Merry Christmas!

Christmas With Ronnie Milsap
I'm starting out the list with one from my childhood. Growing up I can remember my mother having the Christmas With Ronnie Milsap album from 1986 on constant rotation during the holidays (and sometimes even throughout the year). To me, Ronnie Milsap always has hit that perfect balance between old country & melodic pop. He does that well on this album by singing some of the standard Christmas classics as well as two of my all-time favorite "original" holiday songs "Only One Night of the Year" and "We're Here To Love".

Home For Christmas by Amy Grant
A few years later in 1992, Amy Grant released her album Home For Christmas and it also became a household favorite of ours. Amy Grant's blues-inspired take on Christmas classics plays well with her smoky voice. "Breath of Heaven" is easily one of the most beautiful songs ever written - and I don't just mean for Christmas.

Harry Connick, Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas
Moving into 1993 saw the purchase in my house of our very first CD player (a Sony Discman) and also the purchase of our very first CD to go with it. We went with the album from Harry Connick, Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas. I've been a lifelong fan of the Rat Pack and especially Dean Martin; so the soothing crooner voice of Harry Connick, Jr. is one I've always connected with. I admit that a few of the tracks on here have not aged well (I'm looking at you "Happy Ho Ho Ho To You"). The majority of the album is still a great listen and one you can put on in the background as you open presents.

Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas
The very next year I found myself (like most boys around my age) liking the idea (and sight) of Mariah Carey dressed up for Christmas like she is on the cover of her album Merry Christmas from 1994. This album is still on my wife's all-time favorites list which she even has as her current cell phone ring tone with the opening track "All I Want For Christmas Is You". Like much of the Mariah Carey content of the 90s, this album displays her incredible range and infectious pop tunes.

Jim Brickman - The Gift
If you are more in the mood for just melodic piano renditions of your Christmas favorites, it doesn't get much better than Jim Brickman.  A master of piano arrangements and playing with a style that is both soothing and inspiring, Brickman masterfully plays your favorite classics that go great with some egg nog and a nice fire. One of my favorites is his molding of classic and original in songs such as "Starbright".

The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas
I'm going to end the list with one of the most well-known collections and possibly the greatest compilation of Christmas music available. I am of course talking about the time life treasury of Christmas collection. A quick search will show you there are actually multiple disks available in this collection but the first album is mostly what you will need for a well-rounded tour of Christmas favorites.

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What about you? Do you have a favorite Christmas-time album? Let us all know in the comments section!