Just because I feel like it...
Tonight I had one of those nice holiday moments. I was putting lights on my Christmas tree, drinking hot chocolate, and listening to some wonderful Christmas music. I thought I'd share some of my favorites:
All of Indigo Christmas, which I'm not sure is available anymore. The arrangements are jazzy and relaxing.
"Jingle Bells" from the California Guitar Trio's Christmas Album. I love this arrangement! Makes me want to dance. 
"Oh Christmas Tree" on the same album is also very nice. Very rich harmonies. (Actually, the whole album is good, though one of the songs doesn't really sound all that Christmassy to me.)
"The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter" from the Canadian Brass' Noel album. I love the combination of the high brass and the children's choir.
John Rutter's Gloria. The recording with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Canadian Brass is especially good, though the one I have with the Cambridge Singers is also good. I gave the other one to my mother for Christmas one year, and after hearing it I wish I'd bought one for myself! I haven't seen it in the store again since.
"Joy" by Dave Beegle, on Great Strings, Great Music Vol. 2, an Elixir Guitar Strings Holiday Collection. It's a guitar arrangement of J. S. Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" that sounds a bit like a jig to me. Very fast and fun.
Nevorissk Chimes (The Fire of Eternal Glory) by Dimitri Shostakovich, as played by the Phantom Regiment on the DCI Ornaments in Brass album. What a great piece! Gives me goosebumps. The volume should be turned up on this arrangement, though, for the proper DCI feeling. 
"One Quiet Moment" as sung a capella by Glad on their Acapella Christmas album.
All of George Winston's December album (solo piano). Some tracks are a little melancholy, but I like it anyway. His "Carol of the Bells" and "The Holly and the Ivy" are particularly good. Unusual, as always.
Various choral carols on various albums. I've got one CD called Christmas Star by the Cambridge Singers that's pretty good--I end up listening to it a lot.
What're you listening to?
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