The trick with musically catering to a holiday party, these days, is that you need to chase the nostalgia vibe without making your guests jam forks in their ears, as a sort of sonic seppuku.  Clever updates by modern day crooners like Michael Bublé and The Killers, as well as Dr. Teeth & Electric Mayhem Band, share billing with the Rat Pack and jazz greats.  There’s soul and funk and rock and country; and one particularly maudlin number that’s guaranteed to warm any heart.  

Each of these songs is available for download, on i-Tunes.

Happy holidays!

Track - Artist - Album

Cool Yule – Louis Armstrong – Vintage Christmas

When You Wish Upon a Star – Mary J. Blige (feat. Barbra Streisand and Chris Botti) – A Mary Christmas

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Michael Bublé – Christmas

O Holy Night – Eric Cartman – Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics

Christmas in Las Vegas – Richard Cheese – Silent Nightclub

Christmas All Over the World – Sammy Davis, Jr. – Christmas with the Rat Pack

The Chanukah Song – Neil Diamond – A Cherry Cherry Christmas

‘Zat You Santa Claus – Dr. Teeth & Electric Mayhem Band – The Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas

Winter Wonderland – Eurythmics – A Very Special Christmas – Part 1

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Alternate Take) – Judy Garland – Over the Rainbow (The Very Best of Judy Garland)

Santa Claus, Santa Claus – Louis Jordan – Vintage Christmas

Boots – The Killers – (Red) Christmas

The Christmas Song – Gladys Knight and The Saints Unified Choices – A Christmas Celebration

You Are My Friend – Patti LaBelle – The Essential Patti LaBelle

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin – Dino’s Christmas

Mele Kalikimaka – Bette Midler – Cool Yule

Hard Candy Christmas – Dolly Parton – Once Upon a Christmas

Holiday I.D. – Lou Reed – ‘Twas the Night Before Hanukkah

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Brian Setzer Orchestra – Gift Wrapped

The Little Drummer Boy – Frank Sinatra – Christmas with Sinatra and Friends

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year – Andy Williams & Robert Mersey – The Classic Christmas Album

Someday, at Christmas – Stevie Wonder and Andra Day

Get into it!