Last night there was some seriously joyous (if wordless) caroling here in Baltimore.
Then, on waking late to grey and drizzly skies, the latke-making got the kibosh put on it in favor of some simple eggs and toast (interestingly the New York Times‘ “oatmeal buttermilk blueberry pancake” recipe was running a brisk distribution as the “most emailed article”. Guess we were all looking for some form of cozy Sunday morning comfort). A little while later, however, we did get into the non-denominational seasonal spirit with a little cookie baking (I swear even my hair now smells of chocolate). This was accompanied by the obligatory downloading/endless looping of Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Which led me back tonight to Drew’s challenge to lay out the best and worst in holiday music. I hate to be a Scrooge about it, but as I was musing earlier, aural memories can carry a lot of buried information, and for me these familiar refrains conjure mostly shopping malls and stress.
More than anything, however, the ten basic tunes of carolers everywhere call to mind those endless holiday party quartet gigs we played for gas money in high school. These interminable events effectively stamped out any joy the music may have once inspired in me. Every medley had a “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” transition and a stinger of false excitement for an ending. From time to time, a guest enjoying some serious holiday cheer would hand me her glass and request a refill. I don’t blame her. “Jingle Bells,” played in ten different international “styles,” would inspire anyone to indulge in extra eggnog.
So I don’t know about you, but while I find a lot of joy in the season–in old traditions and in new–it’s not usually a classic holiday song that triggers a desire to deck the halls.
Nothing kills the enjoyment of an act like having to do it. We all want to choose. Making money singing Xmas carols is the best way to put yourself off Xmas for good.
Tom, you couldn’t have said it better.