The Perfect Holiday Playlist

Lana Adair with Ken Fulk at “Jingle & Mingle,” 2013

Lana Adair put everyone in an upbeat holiday mood with her mix of holiday and non-holiday songs for the recent “Jingle & Mingle Designer Wreath Auction,” in San Francisco, a fundraiser for “Children of Shelters.”

We asked Lana, the DJ for San Francisco’s most notable events, to create a holiday playlist, and we think you’ll love her selections! It’s an eclectic mix that ranges from Charlie Brown to James Brown, and will be perfect for any holiday party!

Here’s DJ Lana’s “Top 10”, with her comments.

“Jingle Bells”
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

“Herb Alpert’s Christmas Album, circa 1968, is an all-time holiday favorite. The entire album deserves to be cued up for cocktails. Mr. Alpert is known for The Dating Game theme song (Spanish Flea), and similar sounding rifts run throughout this holiday album. He plays an amazing trumpet!”

“Sleigh Ride”
The Carpenters

“The Carpenters recorded wonderful holiday music, and Sleigh Ride is lively. It has a more up-tempo beat than their other cuts.”

“Bay Area native Shelia E., who collaborated with Prince for many years, sings Santa Baby with pizzazz. This version might trump Eartha Kitt’s!”

“There are many duets of Baby It’s Cold Outside, but Dean Martin and Martina McBride make a perfect pair in this classic. Another noteworthy is an earlier version performed by Ricardo Montalbán (pre-Fantasy Island) and Esther Williams.”

“Kurtis Blow was the first rapper signed to a major record label. His Christmas Rappin’ is both fun and funny.”

“There’s nary a wink of Ziggy Stardust or Major Tom in Bing Crosby’s and David Bowie’s rendition of Little Drummer Boy. It’s soulful and beautiful.”

“A Charlie Brown Christmas album delivers childhood nostalgia. Linus and Lucy is recommended, as well as Christmas is Coming and Skating.”

“Rosemary Clooney’s Susie Snowflake has a vintage feel, is catchy and easy on the ears.”

“Cheap Trick’s holiday outtake of their classic I Want You To Want Me is clever.”

“James Brown showcases why he’s the ‘Father of Funk’ in Soulful Christmas.”

Thank you for the fun recommendations, Lana!