Can we have some Christmas music? Yes, yes we can.

Amazingly, ABBA has only just released their first ever Christmas song and video.

What's coming through your buds and/or speakers this holiday season? Doesn't have to be Christmas, either. Music celebrating Solstice, Hanukkah, and whatever else welcome, too.

Many years ago, when we were young and newly married, we were walking through a small arcade of shops in Ipswich, Suffolk. It was our first Christmas away from home (I was in the Air Force) and family. We were already quite emotional and this was playing as we walked through the beautifully decorated Tudor style arcade. Even now, forty-one years later, it still tears at my heartstrings.

Abba - Happy New Year.

I have a few favorite Christmas songs and this is one of them. Boney M - Mary's Boy Child

Some ten plus years ago, we were at a Christmas market in Nuremberg. In front of the Frauenkirche, a stage had been erected and some children from a local Kindergarten were giving a carol concert. Their little faces were so happy as they sang this:

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Canon

A quintessential Canadian Christmas album, at least IMHO, is Barenaked for the Holidays by Barenaked Ladies. And this track, featuring the wonderful voice of Sarah McLachlan, is my favorite. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen mashed up with We Three Kings sounds weird but in these talented hands, it works.

From my favorite Christmas album, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble's Gifts

Something a little more subdued. I am a big fan of English choral group Voces8 and here they sing a lovely seasonal Renaissance piece by Jean Mouton.

And Apollo5, a sibling group to Voces8, are also in the holiday spirit.

And here they are together with some additional choristers and an orchestra. Conductor is Voces8 counter-tenor and music director Barnaby Smith.

Perry Como - There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays. He was my mother's favorite singer, so every Christmas, we would listen to his Christmas album over and over. His music reminds me fondly of my childhood.

My favourite singer was, is and always will be, Karen Carpenter. Therefore, my family has to listen to A Christmas Portrait and An Old Fashioned Christmas every year without fail. Her version of Ave Maria is my favourite.

Christmas in Dixie by Alabama is a family favorite so it's played alot .

It was my momma's favorite Christmas song and favorite band so it has happy memories .

I am inordinately fond of Ian Anderson, flautist and singer of Jethro Tull. Rock flautists are a rare breed (the only other one that comes to mind is the late Ray Thomas of the Moody Blues) so that alone makes Anderson stand out, even absent his eccentric stage manner. Here is Ian, minus Tull, doing a Christmas Eve concert in Germany back in '06. His style here is more jazz than rock, but it's a good performance.

Are you aware of the great dutch band of the seventies, Focus? Thijs van Leer was a brilliant Flautist and still is. Along with the fantastic guitarist, Jan Ackermann.

This is the ever-popular, 'House of the King'.

Quote by AnnaMayZing

Are you aware of the great dutch band of the seventies, Focus? Thijs van Leer was a brilliant Flautist and still is. Along with the fantastic guitarist, Jan Ackermann.

This is the ever-popular, 'House of the King'.

No, but I will check them out. Sadly, few continental bands seem to get much notice over here.

Quote by Mendalla

No, but I will check them out. Sadly, few continental bands seem to get much notice over here.

This was the album that made them a firm favourite with me. Best enjoyed loud via headphones. 😎

Going back to the Christmas Music...

From the "chip off the old block" file (or "Apple doesn't fall far from the tree" file if you like), here's Matteo Bocelli, son of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, with some Christmas fare.

And from last Christmas, here's his father with the gorgeous Cantique de Noel, the basis for O Holy Night in English.

U2 It's Christmas, Baby Please Come Home.

You know, I don't think I even knew Coldplay had a Christmas song. And I have to find their original. However, this choral arrangement sung by Apollo5 is quite a nice piece on its own. The arranger is Blake Morgan, who sings tenor in Voces8 and is also an accomplished arranger of choral music.

Recently discovered this. I love it!

A Mystical Christmas by Blakus [Epic Music - Beautiful Orchestral]