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 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 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

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?
What will be your new favorite?

 

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

Songs played in this episode:

1. Freddie McGregor (Reggae)
2. For King and Country (Acoustic)
3. Brett Eldredge (Country)
4. Twisted Sister (Heavy Rock)
5. Matthew Green’s Orchestral Rainbow (Rock Opera)
6. Luther Vandross (R&B/Soul)
7. Jigsound (Chiptune)
8. Bad Religion (Punk Rock)
9. Strada9 (Ska)
10. City High (Hip Hop)

We didn’t play this one, but Duane wanted to include Olivia Newton John’s “reimagined” version.

This month, Gerry Davila from The Totally Rad Christmas Podcast joins Duane and Scott to discuss Christmas albums from 1980s cartoon character properties.

Songs/Albums played:

1. Strawberry Shortcake – Christmas Album, KidStuff Records, 1981
2. A Pink Panther Christmas, KidStuff Records, 1981
3. Pac-Man Christmas Album, KidStuff Records, 1982
4. A Care Bears Christmas, KidStuff Records, 1982
5. Merry Christmas With The Smurfs, Polygram Records, 1983
6. A Cabbage Patch Christmas, Parker Brothers Music, 1984
7. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLreHEyGJh3_MdLrm-K9dqWAiy_JrO0TTc
8. Christmas With The California Raisins, Priority Records, 1988

This month, Scott and Duane listen to Christmas songs about summer and warm weather.

Songs played during the episode:

Summer Wonderland by Ronan Keating from Dec 2016

Christmas in Summer by Itty Bitty Beats and Suzy Cato from Nov 2019

Te Harinui – New Zealand Christmas carol, written by Willow Macky, performed by David Lyle Morris, from Nov 2013

Christmas in the Summertime by The Funky Monkeys

Christmas In Summer by Teeny Tiny Stevies

Christmas on the Beach by BERA from 2023

(C’mon a) Surfin’ Christmas Holiday by the Hollyberries

All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan by Paul Overstreet (Kenny Chesney cover)

Christmas Day (I Wish I was Surfing) by Emmy the Great & Tim Wheeler

Aloha Christmas by The Dukes of Surf

The Aussie Christmas Song by Batesy

This month, Duane and Scott listen to the First to Eleven album “A Very First to Eleven Christmas”

 

Songs played:

• • The Most Wonderful time of the year
  • All I want for christmas is you
  • Feliz Navidad
  • Underneath the tree
  • Santa tell me
  • Christmas C’mon
  • This Season
  • Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree
  • Santa Baby
  • Last Christmas
  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 

YouTube playlist:

 

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol “Angels We Have Heard on High”.
Versions of the song played on this episode:Angels We Have Heard on High (fingerstyle guitar)
Les Anges dans nos Campagnes (version complète)
Angels from the Realms of Glory by Matthew Green’s Orchestral Rainbow
Angels from the Realms of Glory, David Archuleta and the Tabernacle Choir
Angels from the Realms of Glory (1967 version)
Gloria (Piano version) by Hymns, Chorales & Classics On Piano
Punk version by Reliant K
Acapella version by Home Free
Metal version by Dan Vasc
Ska version by On the Upbeat
Rock version by Bayside
Country version by Josh Turner
Chiptune version by Peter Hunter
Instrumental version by the Piano Guys
​​Big Band/Rockabilly version by Brian Setzer Orchestra