What's on the iPod? - Week of 12-4-2005 - Christmas playlist

Christmas music in years gone past came from an uncle on my mother's side. He'd show up every year with Firestone albums featuring classics from an impressive range of artists of the day, or the day before in many instances.

My Christmas collection is an eclectic mixture that includes a couple of holiday albums I've purchased over the years including Mannheim Steamroller and a disk of Celtic tunes from Windham Hill as well as my favorite Christmas album I'll discuss next week.

As part of creating one of my own holiday traditions, I also have mixture of songs from iTunes or Amazon's free downloads that make up my personal holiday playlist. My requirements for Christmas songs are simple.

1. They have to help put me in the spirit of the season in some way.

2. No Micahel Bolton.

This year's list

"Jingle Bells" - Wilson' Pickett's version

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" - Mariah Carey - I said no Michael Bolton, otherwise I'm flexible.

"The Christmas Song" - Roomful of Blues - that's the "chestnuts roasting" song and this is the only version you'll ever need.

"The Little Drummer Boy" - Johnny Cash - one year in junior high we all brought Christmas albums from home and someone played Cash's pure, earnest rendition and it's stuck with me forever.

"O Holy Night" and "Silent Night" - Allison Crowe, from her "Tidings" album, great interpretations in her powerful, distinctive voice.

"I Believe in Father Christmas" - an oldie from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, for my cynical side, an irreverent, unique song with an incredible sound.

"Better Days" by the Goo Goo Dolls, an easy choice since it's everywhere right now, but a perfect hopeful way to round out my playlist.