Christmas Finds

My med school buddy Ivy recently recommended Chris Botti's 2002 Christmas album, December. I fell in love with the trumpet once I heard Botti's music. There's something soulful and sad about the trumpet's voice. I've never heard it played this way -- never outside a drum and bugle corps. One of my favorite songs in December is the one where Eric Benet sings "I Really Don't Want Much For Christmas" (most of the songs are trumpet solos). December is a welcome addition to my iTunes Christmas albums I'll enjoy the rest of the year.

Other Christmas albums I recommend:

1. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" -- the timeless OST by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. My favorite track: "Christmas is Coming." I first heard this track played in Starbucks and I went on a very long search to find the album it was in. That was 2 Christmases ago.



2. Il Divo's "The Christmas Collection." My favorite track: "Silent Night."






3. Non-Christmas but still worth the listen: "Corinne Bailey Rae" by, who else, Corinne Bailey Rae. I first learned the word eponymous from a review I read about this album. Now this girl can sing. Favorite tracks: "Like a Star" and "Put Your Records On." Something to listen to on Christmas Day: after stuffing yourself on Christmas Eve and you feel like spending the afternoon with a cup of excellent coffee and a Ludlum novel.

*****

Finally, here's an e-Greeting Card I made for my parents to send to their friends. Have a Merry Christmas, everyone! And may you have a peaceful, blessed, and accident-free New Year (stay away from the firecrackers).