Tinsel Tunes - The Christmas Music Podcast

This month, Duane and Scott discuss "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Songs played in this episode:

• Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Solo Piano) by Vinheteiro
• Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Banjo Duet) by Fitzpatrick Media
• Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Jazz Nutcracker) by Peter Hostage
• Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Lindsey Stirling
• Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Reggae) by Is This Love
• Sugar Plum Funk by Kid Kasino
• The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71A — Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Leopold Stokowski & The Philadelphia Orchestra
• Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood — Celesta Intro by Unknown
• Hedwig's Theme (Celesta) by John Williams
• Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Club Mix) by Betty Booom & Captain Matt
• Nutcracker Suite by Brian Setzer Orchestra
• Tetris NES — Type 1 Music by Nintendo Entertainment System OST

Here are Duane’s social media links.

For the first episode of 2026, Duane and Scott discuss the song "Mele Kalikimaka".

Here's the documentary called "Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around" that listener Pandy told us about.

These are the two versions that listener Pandy sent us of I Saw Three Ships: The first is from Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band and the second is John Renbourn of Pentangle.

If you'd like to submit versions of "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" for our March episode, please use this Google Form.

Versions of "Mele Kalikimaka" played in this episode:

• Bing Crosby
• Geoff Castellucci
• Reel Big Fish
• Lambo Lambo Rock
• Josh Tatofi
• Kacey Musgraves and Zooey Deschanel
• Christafari & Kapena
• Lucky Jones
• Iam Tongi (live)
• The Petersens

This is a re upload of a deleted episode.

This was originally uploaded back in Dec 2018, but to due to copywrite claims was taken down by the host provider.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Duane here for a short episode where I reveal the new listener-led concept for Tinsel Tunes 2026.

This listener-led season puts Christmas music fans in control, from song choices to monthly themes and special guest episodes. Your voice helps shape the year ahead.

Google form link for submissions https://forms.gle/j51mso27RKyV36rq9

For the final episode of 2025, Duane and Scott discuss the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". They also reveal the winner of the 2025 song battle.

Check out Santa Duane and give him a follow on the socials:https://www.hawkesbaysanta.nz

Songs played in this episode:

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas by The Holy Rocka Rollaz (Rockabilly)
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Jacob Miller & Ray I (Reggae)
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Relient K
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas by The Merry Christmas Experience (Ska/Punk)
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas by The Blue Wisp Big Band
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Southwell Festival Voices (Traditional)
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Celtic Women
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Julian Neel (Barbershop)

This month, Scott and Duane discuss the song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". They also reveal the winners of each episode in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025 - please go vote for your champion using the poll: https://pollforall.com/pk7jyyjm

Here's the version recommended by our Welsh listener: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Mel & Kim

Songs Played in this Episode:

• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Semi Werner Francis (Reggae)
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Nick Sabia (Bossanova)
• Yackety Sax by Boots Randolph
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Joel Patterson (Instrumental)
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Asleep at the Wheel (Country)
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Jimmy Barnes
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Skinny Feelings (Pop Punk)
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by First to Eleven (Rock)
• Noche Buena Y Navidad by Brenda Lee (Spanish remake)

This month, Duane and Scott look at the history of the 1914 Christmas Truce and songs written about the event.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite song of the episode in The Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025.

Songs from the episode:

1. I Saw Three Ships by Fisherman’s Friends

1. Yorkshire Three Ships by Kate Rusby
2. 1914 (Christmas Truce) by Elias Dummer
3. Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon
4. Christmas Truce by Sabaton
5. Pipes of Peace by Tim Pannell
6. Stille Nacht (Silent Night in the original German)
7. Christmas 1914 (No Man’s Land) by Roy Buckley
8. All Together Now by The Farm
9. 1914 - The Carol of Christmas by Military Voices
10. Snoopy’s Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen
11. 1914 by Mike Harding

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "I Saw Three Ships" with Tim Babb from the "Can't Wait for Christmas" podcast.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite song in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025.

Songs played in this episode:

• I Saw Three Ships by the Barenaked Ladies (Tim)
• I Saw Three Ships by Blackmore’s Night (Duane)
• I Saw Three Ships by King’s College Choir (Scott)
• I Saw Three Ships by Nat King Cole (Tim)
• I Saw Three Ships (Metal Cover) by Forrest Howard (Duane)
• I Saw Three Ships by The Irish Rovers (Scott)
• I Saw Three Ships by South Park and the Muppets (Tim)
• I Saw Three Ships by Fiddler’s Green (Duane)
• I Saw Three Ships (Sea Shanty Version) by the Harris Siblings (Scott)

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "Away in a Manger" with special guest Lynnora Gilbert.

Vote for your favorite song in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025.

Songs played during the episode:

1. Mueller
2. Cradle Song
3. Away in a Manger by King’s College Choir
4. Away in a Manger by Christafari
5. Away in a Manger by Phil Wickham
6. Away in a Manger by Home Free
7. Away in a Manger by Rob Halford
8. Away in a Manger by 9-year-old Claire Crosby
9. Away in a Manger by Nat King Cole
10. Away in a Manger by Vermicide Violence
11. Away in a Manger by James Linden Hogg

This month, Scott and Duane celebrate seven years of Tinsel Tunes with our very special guest, Brian Earl from the Christmas Past podcast. They each share some versions of the carol "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear".

Here's Brian's "Christmas podcast wish list" video from 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fViebraVgQ

Don't forget to vote for your favorite song from this episode in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025: https://pollforall.com/pkd99o8n

Here are the jazz songs that listener Adam Parker recommended:

• O Swing All Ye Faithful by Andrew Morgan Smith & the Lifetimers
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Ezra Collective
• Jingle Bells by Gabriel Latchin Trio

Here are the versions of "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" that we played during the episode:

1. Anita Bryant
2. Hall and Oates
3. Blackmore's Night
4. Mormon Tabernacle Choir
5. Sixpence None the Richer
6. Robert Soulberg
7. Julie Andrews
8. Jars of Clay
9. Lliad Jazz Orchestra