Tinsel Tunes - The Christmas Music Podcast

This month, Duane and Scott explore jazz Christmas music.

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

Songs played in the episode:

1. Christmastime is Here by Steve Hunter
2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by New York Jazz Lounge
3. Frosty the Snowman by Erik Veldkamp
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Ramsey Lewis Trio
5. Deck the Hall by Southside Aces
6. The Little Drummer Boy by Marcus Miller
7. O Tannembaum by George Gee Swing Orchestra
8. Winter Wonderland - Spyro Gyra
9. Silver Bells by Max Abrams
10. Jingle Bells by Diana Krall

This month, Duane and Scott explore the song "Here We Come A-Wassailing" and the tradition of wassail.

Here's the link to the Tinsel Tunes Song Battle poll:
https://pollforall.com/plqqxw2j

Songs played in this episode:

• Magdalen College Choir
• Rockabilly version by Under The Streetlamp featuring Michael Ingersoll
• Celtic version by Carlyle Fraser
• English folk version by Ian Giles
• Tony Meade
• Blackmore's Night
• Calypso version by Chicago
• Alternative? version by Pomplamoose
• Gower Wassail by the Oh Hellos
• Acapella version by Rockapella
• Barbershop version by Bank of Harmony

This month, Duane and Scott reveal the history of the hymn "Joy to the World".

Versions played in this episode:

• Celtic Women
• The Altar Billies (Rockabilly)
• Brian Setzer Orchestra (Big Band)
• Orion’s Reign feat. Minniva(Heavy Metal)
• Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble & The Tabernacle Choir
• Lift Up Your Heads (Handel)
• Lindsey Stirling (Modern Violin)
• The Petersens (Bluegrass)
• Christafari (Reggae)
• Randy Travis (Country)
• Mannheim Steamroller (Synth Rock)
• No Doubt - Oi to the world (Ska)

To participate in The Great Tinsel Tunes Music Battle 2025, vote using this link: https://pollforall.com/pkvj4eyo

This month, Duane and Scott explore the history of “Good King Wenceslas”.

Versions played in the episode:

• Blackmore’s Night
• The Irish Rovers
• Chris Hendricks
• Tori Amos
• Reggae All-Stars
• Stan Kenton Jazz Orchestra
• Matthew Green’s Orchestral Rainbow
• Mannheim Steamroller
• Odyn

Here's the link to the poll to vote for your favorite song from this episode:https://pollforall.com/p346dorm

Here’s the clip from “Love Actually”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4-35TN6Amw

This is the 13th century spring carol “Tempus dest Floridum” that gave us the melody for Good King Wenceslas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv8PgukSLX0

From listener Bob in Utah, here’s the link to the Majestica album “A Christmas Carol”:
https://youtu.be/nq5No8qsowA?si=Y37SJX4F5g4w5cE4

From listener Steve Banks, here’s a the reggae playlist “Reggae Christmas Parade”:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ZH6rGilSmg9p4VxF2ubkU?si=IMf_S2cuSGyMYHqwDxPp7Q&pi=AO2eqAlHT0SeM&nd=1&dlsi=5cc261712ab14247

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the history of “Auld Lang Syne”.

Here’s the poll to vote for your favorite song from this episode:
https://pollforall.com/plz67252

When Harry met Sally quote:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/auaVllEHehQ

Rod Stewart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al7ONqrdscY

Boney M:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlZRXFuh5_E

Home Free (Acapella):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFcSfqYqHs4

Youtuber Amy Lee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IALSCIyUPXI

Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (Big Band):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik7ktS3PqEs

Highland Saga (Celtic):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX47kd9L6oc

Fiddler’s Green (Folk Rock):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5jd3wjBJfQ

Reel Big Fish (Ska):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJEP16sH3I0

The Holophonics (Ska):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICbkmUHAKkM

The Herald’s Hymnal (Metal):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK35pHIzVPI

A Twist of Metal (Guitar Instrumental):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOkp81P4Mj8

Die Toten Hosen (Punk):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5egd2VF5Us

Cooper Alan’s “Plead the fifth” (Parody):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uwxYkaH9ts

This month, Duane and Scott dive into the surprising history of "Deck the Halls".

Songs played in this episode:

Genre versions played in this episode:

In this bonus episode, join Duane as he unwraps 8 fresh Christmas tunes for the 2024 season, spotlighting independent and lesser-known artists. Get ready to discover your next holiday favorites! 🎄🎶

Step Carse - The True Miricle of Christmas

Annie Vander - Ornamental Christmas

Laura Pursell - Three Miles from Christmas

Stella Cole - It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Vanna and Me - Christmas Across My Mind

Alison Wahl and Brian Berggoetz - Christmas Is the Right Time for Us

Kerry Kearney - Santa’s Got a Brand-New Bag

The English Assassin - Peace at Christmas

What was Duane's favorite?

This month, Scott and Duane discuss the iconic song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

Versions played in this episode:

This month, Duane and Scott dive deep into the history of "O Come, All Ye Faithful".

Songs played in this episode:

We didn't play this one, but Duane wanted to include Olivia Newton John's "reimagined" version.

Scott and Duane are joined by Adam Parker from the Merry Britsmas podcast to listen to the 2018 album "Christmas with The Fizz".