The perfect recording for Christmas Eve. Period. Mannheim Steamroller’s “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”). Years ago, when I was a struggling actor in NYC, my best friend Carlye discovered Mannheim Steamroller’s first holiday album, Christmas.
Mannheim Steamroller’s founder, Chip Davis, created the perfect formula of light, airy instrumental versions of favorite holiday songs.
The first time Carlye played this for me, we were huddled up in our sweats around 11 pm on Christmas Eve.
Carlye and I at a Christmas party in the late 1980sWith only candles lit in our small one-bedroom apartment and armed with our version of “egg nog” — egg nog mix, amaretto, and a bit of vanilla bean ice cream — we sat quietly enjoying our small Christmas tree as this played out in the shadows.
The first 60 seconds always lead me to imagine Santa and the elves working through the winter, getting ready for the big night.
And as the toy piano and jingle bells play at the 4:30 mark, the wind at the North Pole whips up to send him out into the night.
To this day, one of my favorite memories AND traditions – thanks to my BFF Carlye. These were the salads days when we had practically nothing. But it felt like our Christmas was perfect for us.
And now, every Christmas eve, the last thing I do before going to bed, is pour that egg nog, get cozy in the light of the Christmas tree, and listen to Santa begin his journey.
Click here to find more music for your Christmas holiday from The Randy Report. Happy Christmas everyone.
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