Have Yourself a Musical Christmas

So the Billboard top 200 albums of the year suggest that the top 5 sellers this December are:

1) Susan Boyle – I Dreamed a Dream

2) Andrea Bocelli – My Christmas

3) Taylor Swift – Fearless

4) R. Kelly – Untitled (debuting at no. 4)

5) Lady Gaga – The Fame

Clearly, peoples of all ages and musical preferences are out this year, purchasing music for loved ones and so on. All, except Kelly, seem to have been heavily publicised in the lead up to Christmas. Shocker of all shockers, Swift is still hanging in there (outdoing her bestie Miley), as is Lady Gaga.

Lady G has to be the most overplayed and most saturated “artist” on radio at the moment. The media loves her eccentricities, which let’s face it are generally wonderfully contrived and help the image of torn and troubled artist. Still, the public has spoken of their love for the little blonde nutter and are out buying The Fame in full force. Of course, this tide of love and warmth will eventually subside once the saturation has reached its limits, and in some cases, might also turn against her as it once did for R Kelly. He used to be a chart topper until those allegations of paedophilia and misconduct landed him in hot water with the public. But here he is, proving that Christmas truly is the time for opening our hearts and giving everyone a chance. Debuting at number 4 with a mildly publicised release of the untitled album, Kelly is back in the game and no doubt will provide some smooth sounds to help you get your holiday groove on.

Somebody who might struggle with getting your party started is Ms. Boyle. Of course the fairytale story and the underdog determination of the woman to garner love through song are reasons enough to buy the album for your Nanna or Pop – just don’t go getting it for the kiddies as some mislead way of motivating them to be their best.  This is much the same for Bocelli. As talented as the man is, true appreciation for this music might only elicit a joyful response from those above a certain age.

NOW – if music charts and extreme pop mainstream artists are not your bag of goodies, then might I suggest (of what I do know) a few of the following (of course my little list here will not and cannot cover the vast spectrum of music considered to be non-mainstream. Still for those of you who might think that the surly teenager in your family or the fun loving aunt could do with some music not familiar to them, why not get one of these):

Lady Sovereign – Jigsaw

Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend (yes it’s a bit old now, but still a great road tripping album)

Phoenix -Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Hilltop Hoods – State of the Art

Sarah Blasko – As Day Follows Night

Kate Miller-Heidke – Curiouser

I cannot finish this list without an honourable mention to the Glee soundtrack. This little television show that could, proved everyone (including its cast) wrong after it was picked up for syndication and coveted an eager, prepubescent following here and in the U.S. The soundtrack, aptly named Glee: The Music – Season 1, will provide a lot of fun for the youngsters and plenty of singalongs in the car. However, if it’s journey music you require (with a musical education for your children) try Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters & Little Walter – Super Blues (1967). Might be a little harder to get your hands on this one, but it’s completely worth it. Alternatively, pack the kids in and subject them to the random selection below and one is definitely going to impact them in a positive way:

James Taylor – Sweet Baby James (1970)

Ray Charles – Genius & Friends (2005)

Michael Jackson – Off the Wall (1979) (laugh all you want it’s still one of the best pop albums)

Bob Marley – Bob Marley and The Wailers: Trenchtown Rock (Anthology ’69 – ’78)(2002)

Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Run D.M.C – Raising Hell (1986)

As difficult as it is to curb this list, it must end at some point.

So whether you shop online or in person, buy your loved ones the gift of music and give them a friend for life (or for as long as the CD player is still existent).

NB: Admittedly a very subjective list and I accept that I am unaware of the plethora of musicians I could have or should have mentioned. So by all means, voice your opinion and leave a suggestion!

 Image credits 1, 2, 3, 4