"Ring Out Solstice Bells"

Originally on Jethro Tull's "Songs From The Wood" LP, "Ring Out Solstice Bells" was later repackaged on a off-beat but remarkable Christmas record. Tull, maybe one of the few rock groups of the time or any time, that sleigh bells wouldn't sound out of place on non-Christmas tunes, without irony. They were the first major fusion band, bridging folk music with acid rock. It is the greatest oversight of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that this pivotal band is not included.

"Christmas Honeymoon"

via JohnLindberg.se

If you were lamenting that '50s rock pioneer Eddie Cochran never did a Christmas record, you may be sated by the John Lindberg Trio out of Sweden rocking a set of mostly originals like the rockabilly sprinkled "Christmas Honeymoon" off their consistently lively "Rock This Christmas" collection.

"Xmas Always Makes Me Want To Die"

Of course it's a novelty song, but it's really only an exaggerated reminder that the holidays aren't jolly for everyone. But the beauty of this music themed for the season, there's something for everybody. The Dick Grande and The Dirty Danglers band is a comedy gig with an R-rated catalogue (e.g."She's a Ho Ho Ho," "Size Really Matters," etc.), but this is relatively safe -- meaning it's safe for the relatives above a certain age.

Done to the tune of "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

"Meadowlands"

Nelson Mandela, one of the most influential political figures of the last century, died at 95. His prison-to-president path alone earned him a place in history. But that was only some of his story. National Public Radio compiled the musical portion of his story, told in text and YouTube videos like the one above for the song "Meadowlands" by the African Jazz Pioneers with Dolly Rathebe.

"Frosty The Snowman"

Charlie Bertini and Friends – Frosty The Snowman starts as fast, catchy riff on the standard then at 0:40 it grows into a ripping New Orleans-flavored jazz feast of strong players and sly twists.

"Wonderful Christmastime"

In "Wonderful Christmastime" by Dweezil Zappa, freaky guitar bits interrupt this otherwise standard contemporary standard, written by Paul McCartney in '79. The scion of Frank Zappa his known for his name and guitar mastery. His father was best known for a few novelty songs (despite his massive and eclectic catalogue), the wintry lines from one of which has been made into a Christmas tree ornament.

 

"Oh Holy Night"

via  NeilZaza.com

That Neil Zaza has toured as a representative of an amplifier company shouldn't hurt his credibility as a musician, and it hasn't hurt his chops on electric guitar in evidence here on his metalhead-friendly version of "Oh Holy Night" from the generally superb "A Night At The Palace," which is a 2 CD set from his regular Christmas concert at the Palace Theater in Cleveland with the Cleveland Rock Orchestra.