'Tis the Season

I am not a huge show tunes fan, but my favorite Christmas CD, and the first CD we play every Christmas at our house once the season starts is Broadway Christmas. This CD is a compilation of original recordings of songs that came from Broadway shows. You might be surprised (or you might not) to know that "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" and "We Need a Little Christmas Now" originated on the Great White Way. When I hear the tinkling bells that introduce the first song "Be a Santa" from the show Subways are for Sleeping, I know it's time to trim the tree and get out the egg nog.

Once you listen to these great recordings, you will love it as much as we do. There's one from Here's Love, the musical version of "Miracle on 34th Street" ("That Man Over There"). And another from the Wonderful Life ("Christmas Gifts"). Why, there's even one from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas ("Hard Candy Christmas"). This CD will make you laugh and cry, but mostly it will get you in the spirit of the season.

If this whets your appetite for Broadway Christmas music, you can try Cabaret Christmas. Or maybe Broadway Cares: Home for the Holidays which is worth it just for the frighteningly fantastic duet of "Baby it's Cold Outside" featuring Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming...this year, you'll have to look for this last elsewhere; we don't have it...yet!

- Tim C., Main Library