To those who took time to contribute to the Tip Jar, THANK YOU!  It was also comforting to hear how you listen to and utilize NACR, and how it has become a holiday tradition for you.

If everything goes well, I look forward to bringing you yet another season of NACR beginning late November, 2010.

In the meantime, you may be interested in listening to NACR's "baby" radio station, KC Cafe Radio.

Thanks again for listening to New Age Christmas Radio.  Here's my wish that 2010 brings you peace and happiness.

See you next season!

What you may not know about Teri is that she is also a very talented musician, and has just recently released a brand new album, I Choose Joy.  Like Teri herself, I Choose Joy is an exploration in pure positivity, something we desperately need in these difficult times.

Teri wastes no time expressing her positive vibes on this album, placing the title track right up-front, and it only gets better from there!  All in all, I Choose Joy is an introspective look into a fine person and talented musician, without ever missing a beat!

While the music on this album isn’t necessarily appropriate for airplay on New Age Christmas Radio, you will find I Choose Joy to be a musical experience worthy of play in your world – over and over again!  Listen to music samples and purchase I Choose Joy here .

Also From Teri Wilder:

My taste in music has always focused on unique sounds rather than just the lyrics.  Most of my collection focuses on instrumental music, specifically avoiding stuff that contains vocal.  For whatever reason, I generally find vocals distracting and taking away from the music itself.  Not that there isn’t a place for vocals in music.  But I’ve always felt that a good instrumental can speak as loudly as the lyric – and when done correctly, can tell a story just as clearly and effectively, and is the mark of a truly talented musician.

My first “exposure” to Windham Hill music was sort of an impulse purchase of A Winter’s Solstice.  I was intrigued by the simplicity of the cover photograph, and that was enough for me to “take a chance” on what would become (and still is) one of my all-time favorite holiday albums.

What makes the Winter Solstice series unique is the fact that the musicians featured convey the spirit of the holiday season, without regurgitating the all-too-familiar Christmas songs that we hear over-and-over.  While later releases in the series did include more familiar Christmas songs, there was still enough original content to make them worthwhile.

Unfortunately, Windham Hill recordings no longer exists today, although there are still enough copies in circulation, on CD, as MP3 downloads, and even some still on cassette tape and vinyl disc, that you can continue to enjoy this unique collection of music.

For your convenience, I present a collection from the Winter Solstice Series, as well as other holiday recordings from the Windham Hill label below.

What hit my ears a few months ago while listening to Smooth Jazz Dot Com however, took me completely by surprise!  Music by a jazz harpist! Never had I heard such a heavenly sound presented in such a modern, and unique way.  It sent me on an online quest to learn as much as I could about Lori Andrews.

What I discovered was an excellent collection of Jazz Harp recordings by Andrews, some of which I am still looking forward to adding to my collection.  One recording, however, immediately stood out to me as an excellent choice to share with you this season on New Age Christmas Radio.

Jazz Harp Christmas is a completely new twist on all of your favorite holiday songs, played in a way only Lori Andrews can!  It is a collection of 12 solo pieces, performed in a variety of styles.  Lori’s “jazz roots” are evident right from the start on “Jingle Bell Rock,” and carries on in “Santa Baby,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and the fast-paced “Jingle Bells / Sleigh Ride.”  However, Lori also lets the more relaxing side of her talent shine on “Winter Wonderland,” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”  And even more solemn selections, such as “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “What Child Is This” are treated with the respect they deserve by this uniquely talented musician.

I encourage you not to let your exploration of Lori’s music end with this album, however!  All of her albums offer a variety of moods and sounds sure to please anyone who is searching for a unique new listening experience year-round.  Listen to samples of Jazz Harp Christmas here.

Christmas Lounge

This is a totally different sound for David, and for New Age Christmas Radio!  Flowing senthesizer soundscapes that is trademark Arkenstone is replaced with rhythmic, nonchalant medium to up-tempo renditions of popular holiday tunes.  Many people might easily call this “chill” music, and Christmas Lounge definitely fills this niche.  As the title suggests, Arkenstone considers the music here akin to the “bachelor pad-style” music of the 50s and 60s, and any fan of “lounge” music should find this album a welcome addition to their collection.

Arkenstone immediately sets the tone for Christmas Lounge with the first cut, “Sleigh Ride,” presenting a carefree sound complete with the sleigh bells, all in perfect tempo.  That same sound of holiday merriment continues onward through “Deck The Halls,” and “Jingle Bells,” that is reminiscent  of a blues club tune.

Even the more “serious” tunes on this album are tastefully presented, without sacrificing the “lounge” atmosphere.  Classics such as “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and even the most sacred “Silent Night” is given a unique, yet peaceful sound, and is a fitting conclusion to this unique collection of holiday music.

There always seems to be an entire crop of “unique-sounding” ablums that come out only during the holiday season, and sometimes it can be difficult to choose.  Most of the time I end up buying them all, but only end up listening to a few on an ongoing basis.  Christmas Lounge is one of those albums.  It’s perfect as music for entertaining, or listening on your own – at home, in the car, or at the office.  I would even dare to predict this is an album you will not only want to play over and over again this holiday season, but will return to again for many seasons to come.

One “technical note” here.  You have probably noticed that the Amazon links associated with the above song titles don’t match the title inside the article content.  That’s because Amazon mis-labeled the title of the tracks on this album.  I choose to link to the proper song track, rather than the title, so that in case you decide to purchase that song, you will get the correct one.  Better yet, just purchase the entire album download.  You’ll need to rename the tracks on your computer once you do.  But it is well worth the effort!  You can hear samples of Christmas Lounge here.

The music that I have enjoyed, and am subsequently sharing with you this season, was well worth the wait!  Simply put, Generations is one of those albums that must be experienced in its entirety in order to be fully appreciated.  As the title implies, Generations is like a journey through time, with each selection presented in the order in which it was written, beginning with early 13th century “The Star Of Christmas Morning,” and ending with the song made famous by Charles Schultz’s animated holiday creations, “Christmas Time Is Here.”

In between is a collection of holiday classics ranging from the familiar “Silent Night,” to the more obscure “Prepare The Way, O Zion,” including Ken’s own signature improvisation on these fine tunes.  Listening to this album has definitely encouraged me to discover other music recorded by this talented musician.

“Generations Of Yuletide” is one of those holiday albums you can put on while entertaining, then relax to after everyone has gone home for the evening, and realize a unique experience in each setting.  It is a perfect addition to New Age Christmas Radio this season, and a welcome addition to your own music collection.  Listen to samples from “Generations Of Yuletide” here.

Famous for the ever-enchanting “Orinoco Flow” Enya has created a sound that is truly unique, and she continues that tradition of uniqueness with this album, called “And Winter Came.”

Probably most recognizible as Enya’s “trademark” sound are the songs “White Is In The Winter Night,” and “Trains And Winter Rains.”  However, Enya also possesses the wonderful gift of “serenade” in “Dreams Are More Precious,” “The Spirit Of Christmas Past,” as well as title cut, “And Winter Came.” And maybe it’s just me, but it seems as if with every one of Enya’s releases, she always includes what I like to call a “fun” song, and she doesn’t disappoint with this release either on “My! My! Time Flies!”

If you are an Enya fan as much as I am, this music is a “must have” for your collection.  And if you’re new to her music, I invite you to “get hooked” by listening for her music here on New Age Christmas Radio.  Better yet, listen to some samples from “And Winter Came” here, and decide for yourself!