First came the horrible.

Then came the most popular.

Now, it's time for my own Rhapsody Christmas playlist. Since I made a list of horrible stuff, I thought I should make a list of stuff I like. So, here we go:

• Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring — Leo Kottke: I'm not familiar with Leo Kottke, though perhaps I should be. This is on an album of his simply entitled 6- and 12-String Guitar. And that's all it is. I could get into this; though is other stuff looks to be different (based on solely looking at album covers and track names).
• The Little Drummer Boy — Kenny Burrell: This is an instrumental version, no singin'. But Burrell pulls it off. An OK song, to be sure, but most versions seem to be mediocre. Burrell gets past that.
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen — Charles Hammer: If you like simple classical guitar, then this Christmas album by Charles Hammer (A Classical Guitar Christmas) should go on your list.
• Once In Royal David's City — Charles Hammer: Another by Charles Hammer. I like this song a lot. If Rhapsody would've had Claire Holley's album Sanctuary, I would've listed that version instead.
• The Christmas Song — Mel Torme: The classic, sung by "The Velvet Fog". I always liked this version better than Nat King Cole's version (also available on Rhapsody).
• I Saw Three Ships — Sting: Call me a sucker, call me a child of the '80s, but for some reason I've always been fond of this version of this song. I'm not quite sure why.
• Christmas Song — Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds: Once again, simple acoustic guitars and a guy singin'. Are you picking up the theme? Note that this song is not a different rendition of Mel Torme's classic; it is a completely different song altogether.
• Hark, The Herald Angels Sing — Vince Guaraldi: If you grew up when I grew up (late 70's/80's) then part of the Christmas ritual was watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. This is from the soundtrack. Honorable mention goes to Guaraldi's tune Linus and Lucy, which is the classic Peanuts song that one thinks of. Even though it is on the soundtrack for the Christmas show, I couldn't quite put that one on the list.
• Greensleeves — Vince Guaraldi: Another from the soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Now if I could only find the soundtrack for the Rankin-Bass Christmas special with Rudolph, the Elf-Dentist (Hermie?), the Abominable Snowman and the Island of Misfit Toys!
• Swingle Jingle — Lionel Hampton: Lionel Hampton is one hip cat. You can feel his coolness exude from the vibes as you listen to him. This is his version of Jingle Bells.
• Cool Yule — Louis Armstrong: Louis Armstrong. What can I say? I've got a soft spot for the guy, and this is just a cool song. And it's Christmasy to boot.
• Christmas In New Orleans — Louis Armstrong: You didn't think I'd only have one Louis Armstrong tune, did you? If Rhapsody had his reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas I'd have placed that here, but they don't so I didn't.
• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas — Frank Sinatra: Old Blue-eyes. The Chairman of the Board. This one is classic; you know you need to hear it at least once every Christmas season.
• Bah Humbug — Tim O'Brien: Tim O'Brien pretty much sums up what I think about the commerce-centric side of Christmas. The lyrics are hilarious: “ ... I unbutton my pants from the cheese and the candy / but the turkey comes out of the oven at three”. Then the chorus: “Bah humbug, bah humbug / chug-a-lug one more egg nog / It's just six more days 'til the end of the year!”
• Auld Langsyne — Groovegrass Boyz: Swingin' on into the New Year, bluegrass-style. I'd never heard of the "Groovegrass Boyz" before, but this version of Auld Lang Syne gets the thumbs-up from me. I think I like it better than the classic Guy Lombardo version.

Here's the whole playlist for folks who subscribe to Rhapsody: Rico's Groovin' Christmas.