Christmas music never seems outdated - and certainly comes suddenly back into fashion at year's end. As the following list reveals, fresh arrangements of old, familiar tunes as well as new songs should keep listeners happy no matter what type of style they enjoy. It's all here, from traditional folk to punk rock to country and rhythm & blues. There's even some comedy thrown in for flavor.
Besides the albums by Lark & Spur and Brad Smith (see story above), such local performers as guitarist Michael Dowdle, vocalist Kelly Shepardson and the Salt Lake Children's Choir, directed by Ralph B. Woodward, have new seasonal collections.The reviews are by Deseret News staff writers.
ALL-4-ONE, "An All-4-One Christmas" (Blitzz/Atlantic).
Four perfectly blended voices singing some of the world's best-loved Christmas Carols - that's what you'll find in the "All-4-One Christmas Album."
Perhaps taking a cue from Boyz II Men's Christmas album last year, All-4-One tries out some seasonal groove, funk and a capella - with a lot of schmaltz.
The album features "Silent Night," "The First Noel," "What Child Is This?" "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "O Come All Ye Faithful," in addition to a "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" medley that taps into "Frosty the Snowman."
"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)," "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" are also here, along with newer songs like "This Christmas" and "Christmas With My Baby." - Scott Iwasaki
ANGELS IN THE OPERA HOUSE, "Hallelujah Handel!" (Classical Kids).
The story: In 1750 George Frederick Handel presents his great musical gift, "The Messiah," to an orphanage in London. From the city's dark lanes comes Thomas, a boy who won't talk but can sing like an angel. Finally, the boy is healed with the help of Maestro Handel, his friend Katarina and the power and glory of the music.
The music: More than two dozen excerpts from Handel's music, including "Water Music," "Music for the Royal Fireworks," "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba," "Harp Concerto," the opera "Julius Caesar" and, of course "The Messiah."
It's not necessarily Christmasy but could be a heartwarming way to introduce children to these classics at any time of year. - Carma Wadley
CLINT BLACK, "Looking for Christmas" (BMG).
Clint Black is one of the few country artists who still writes all the songs he performs - not, he has said, because he thinks other writers aren't doing a good job but because he has so many things he still wants to say musically. Still, with his busy schedule of touring and writing, you wonder where he finds the time to do a Christmas album, but he has.
The all-original songs cover the gamut of love songs ("The Finest Gift"), message songs ("For Every Boy and Girl"), rollicking fun songs ("The Coolest Pair," " `Til Santa's Gone") and carol-like songs ("Birth of the King" and "Looking for Christmas"). There's guitar, banjo, harmonica and on some even the London Session Orchestra - and of course, Black's distinctive vocals. It seems like he's pretty much found the Christmas he's looking for. - C.W.
BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR, "Christmas at the Brooklyn Tabernacle" (Warner Bros.).
The rich, full-bodied Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and Singers offer up a mix of old and new songs in this collection. The sound is that of a traditional gospel choir. The emphasis is on the Nativity.
Included are such carols as "Carol of the Bells," "I Wonder As I Wander" and "Do You Hear What I Hear." Other songs, such as "O Come Emmanuel," "You Shall Call His Name Jesus" and "Beneath His Father's Heaven," draw on joyful Biblical texts. "Happy Birthday Jesus" is a sweet lullaby that benefits from the help of a children's choir.
Overall, the mood is upbeat and hopeful: "Let my life be a candle, Lord/That shines for You. . . . Oh, the light of a million mornings has dawned in me." - C.W.
JAMES BROWN, "James Brown's Funky Christmas" (Polydor).
The man who brought gospel, blues, soul and big band to a peak in the mid-'60s recorded a bunch Christmas songs throughout his career. Sure, there are probably more, but the people of Polydor came up with 17 funky yuletide tunes found on the albums "Hey, America" (1970), "Soulful Christmas" (1968) and "James Brown and His Famous Flames Sing Christmas Songs" (1966) and put them all together.
While most songs here were written in part by Brown, such as "Santa Claus, Santa Claus," "Soulful Christmas" and "Merry Christmas, I Love You," among many more, there is a nice traditional surprise - "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)."
For spunk and funk, Brown belts out his trademark rasp the other originals, "Sweet Little Baby Boy (Parts 1 & 2)," "Signs of Christmas" and "Let's Unite the Whole World At Christmas." Definitely for fans. - S.I.
CHIP DAVIS & MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER, "Christmas in the Aire" (American Gramaphone).
These days Mannheim Steamroller is probably more widely known for its very successful Christmas albums than for its "Fresh Aire" series, begun in the mid-'70s. And "Christmas in the Aire" - the band's third holiday collection - will only emphasize this identification with the season.
This time fans had an opportunity to help choose the program, which includes longtime favorites like a bubbly "Joy to the World," a cutesy (and at times unrecognizable) "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" and a delicate "O' Little Town of Bethlehem." The Steamroller recipe mixes international and historic-medieval flavors with modern synthesizers and musical sensibilities. "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Kling, Glockchen," for example, are sung by a German children's choir, while "Pat A Pan" and "Gagliarda" take a familiar Renaissance approach. Composer-performer-leader Chip Davis also contributes a gentle original, "Christmas Lullaby." - Ray Boren
ARTURO DELMONI, ALEXANDER ROMANUL, KATHERINE MURDOCK & NATHANIEL ROSEN, "Rejoice! A String Quartet Christmas" (John Marks Records).
It's tempting merely to repeat the blurb that comes with the above CD: "Fresh, elegant string quartet arrangements of 24 traditional Christmas carols feature vibrant melodies and luscious harmonies. Great for family singalongs." Except that wouldn't give due notice to violinist Delmoni's tasteful arrangements or the one piece in the collection he didn't do - Antony Hopkins' Peter Warlock-like "Gaudeamus," a lovely addition to the repertoire.
Other highlights include Rosen's richly evocative cello solo in "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and the almost period flavor the group as a whole brings to some of the other selections. Not to mention the kind of vivid, close-up recorded sound (from an analog master) that puts this remarkable foursome right in your living room - you know, for those singalongs. - William S.Goodfellow
JOE DIFFIE, "Mr. Christmas" (Epic).
Country Christmases bring to mind homestyle cooking, big decorated fir trees and snow-covered ranches.
Joe Diffie manages to capture all those images in a traditional way. His "Mr. Christmas" is very straightforward. Though he slips in a few originals, the album's basically filled with old-fashioned wool-blanket cuddle carols laced with an easy-listening country sentiment.
Traditional tunes such as "The Christmas Song," "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," a children's chorale-backed version of "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night," are interwoven with such originals as "Mr. Christmas," "Leroy the Redneck Reindeer" and "Wrap Me in Your Love," among others. - S.I.
JOHN DOAN, "Wrapped in White" (Hearts of Space).
The subtitle to this CD is "Visions of Christmas Past," and that's exactly what we get: carols and hymns performed on authentic 19th-century instruments from Victorian America. Featured prominently is the harp guitar but also included are such things as the autoharp, darbuka, davul, Edison Home Phonograph, Gem Roller Organ, harmonium, parlor guitar, piccolo trumpet, trembelin, toy piano and ukelin. Sorting them all out may be more than you want to do, but the sound they create is soft and lyrical and very pretty.
The songs are arranged on the cover according to topic: carols of kings, carols of birth, carols of joy, carols of night and so forth, which is an intriguing concept. But they are played in a different order, which is a bit confusing. Still, most of the old favorites are included, and the interpretations are a delight. This one makes you feel "wrapped in white." - C.W.
MICHAEL DOWDLE, "Christmas" (Shadow Mountain).
Add guitarist Michael Dowdle to the list of local artists who now have Christmas albums. He gives a soft, jazzy treatment to 12 holiday numbers.
There's an exotic version of "Greensleeves," a lilting Irish jig version of "I Saw Three Ships" and an upbeat "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Lysa Rytting adds a beautiful harp accompaniment to "O Little Town of Bethlehem." And to provide a fitting ending to the album, there's Dowdle's original "A Day Long Since Past," soft and pretty and done in three distinct sections - to represent the time before Christ, "marked by the poignant yearning of ascending vocals and synthesizers"; the center section "stated as a melodic motif by the guitar followed by a simple vocal verse" and the third section, which musically "depicts the hope of mankind found through faith in Jesus Christ." - C.W.
EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, "I Believe in Father Christmas" (Rhino).
This extended-play set is a five-song compilation of earlier Emerson, Lake & Palmer releases that capture the Christmas spirit in a progressive, classical sort of way.
The Greg Lake co-penned title tune is a thoughtful piece on the meaning of what should be a joyous holiday, which becomes a time of despair for some. Two versions of the song appear among a hum-ditty work called "Humbug" and "Nutrocker," which grinds out the famous Tchaikovsky score march. Another classically inspired tune is "Troika," based on Prokofiev's "Lieutenant Kije Suite." - S.I.
FIRST CALL, "Beyond December" (Warner Alliance).
Ethereal may be as good a word as any to describe the music of First Call, which features sounds from such instruments as the keyboard, flute, recorder, krumhorn, psaltery, viola and drums as well as "assorted goodies." It is soft and folky, yet intricately layered.
Some of the pieces on this album are new arrangements of traditional songs: "In the Quiet of a Silent Night," "What Child Is This," "The Little Road to Bethlehem." Others are new or less familiar: "Born a Sacrifice," "After December Slips Away." The message and theme of the album is clear on "Heaven's Coming Down": "There will be no denying where our hope is found."
First Call hopes this album will "give glory to God and will reflect the never-ending mercy and grace he has shown us." It seems to do that pretty well. - C.W.
FREEWAY PHILHARMONIC, "Road to Joy" (Sheffield Lab).
The road Freeway Phil travels is one paved with lightheartedness. You can tell from the music that these guys are having a good time. The quartet features Scott Jackson on drums and toys, Novi Novog on violin and piano, Robert Stanton on acoustic guitars and Larry Tuttle on the Chapman Stick.
Their comments in the liner notes add further insight to their approach: Novi on "Sleigh Ride": "Love the arrangement, love Leroy Anderson. P.S. For LA, it should be `Roller-Blade Ride.' " Robert on "Little Drummer Boy": "The bridge in this tune is one of my favorite parts on the whole CD. It's one of those moments when the composer and arranger in us get to collaborate to make something new from something old, as we take a left turn into Baghdad, more or less." From Larry: " `Silent Night' is played solo on the Chapman Stick. I've tried to stay true to the fundamental peacefulness and beauty of the piece while adding a few of my own touches." And Robert on "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town": "Heh? Is this guy Big Brother or what? Is this a threat? Anyhoot, I took artistic liberty and created a Christmas lullaby for my Takamine 132C classic guitar. A kinder and gentler approach. . . ."
And a good time is had by all. - C.W.
GARY HOEY, "Ho Ho Hoey" (Zoo).
Up-and-coming rock soloist Gary Hoey draws on all the dynamics of the guitar fret board for the melodies on his new Christmas album. His style is reminiscent of Steve Vai's guitar assaults.
Raging blues/rock arrangements of "The 12 Days of Christmas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Blue Christmas" and "White Christmas" are performed along with a rockabilly-styled "Jingle Bells" and the progressive rock of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," the folksy "Little Drummer Boy" and the acoustic-laden "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night."
The album ends with a Jimi Hendrixlike blues take on "Auld Lang Syne," which actually takes signature licks from the Hendrix tune "Axis: Bold As Love." - S.I.
JAZZ AT THE MOVIES BAND, "It's a Wonderful Life: Sax at the Movies for Christmas" (Discovery).
Since its first offering of saxophone and piano-based instrumental arrangements of cinematic tunes (beginning with "Body Heat: Jazz at the Movies"), the Jazz at the Movies Band has come up with several collections of lush, romantic variations on familiar movie music. So, a holiday offering would seem inevitable - and "It's a Wonderful Life: Sax at the Movies for Christmas" does not disappoint.
Included are soft and easy standards like "White Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "The Christmas Song," as well as snazzy toe-tappers such as "Sleigh Ride" and "Christmas Will Return" (from "The Santa Clause"). Equally enjoyable, however, are such nontraditional fare as the "Home Alone" theme "Somewhere in My Memory," "When Love Is Gone" from "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and one more "Santa Clause" piece, "Santa's Theme."
In all, it's another captivating collection of lively jazz from a group that has quickly become regular listening at my house. - Chris Hicks
BORIS KARLOFF, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (Mercury/Nashville).
A real treat for kids, but tuneful and amusing enough to enchant adults as well, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is essentially the soundtrack album of the classic television special based on Dr. Seuss' book and animated by the masterful Chuck Jones (with music composed by Albert Hague and lyrics by Dr. Seuss).
Hearing Boris Karloff's inventive narration and those memorable songs again ("You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," "Welcome Christmas," "Trim the Tree") is a real treat, and for young ones there aren't many CDs as completely winning as this one. - C.H.
TOBY KEITH, "Christmas to Christmas" (Polydor).
If it's a honky-tonk Christmas that you're looking for, Toby Keith seems to have found it, an album that offers all-new material.
Keith gets things rocking with such offerings as "Christmas Rock," "Blame It On the Mistletoe," "Santa's Gonna Take It All Back" and "Hot Rod Sleigh." He shows a serious side with "Santa I'm Right Here," focusing on the homeless, "Bethlehem to Birmingham" and "What Made The Baby Cry?" which call for peace and brotherhood.
"All I Want For Christmas" is a nice love song to round out this showcase for a rising country star. - C.W.
LARK & SPUR, "Season of Light" (Larkspur Recordings).
There's no doubt about the talent to be found in the Salt Lake area, as shown on this rainbow of Christmas music from Lark & Spur. The band, which is playing quite a few places in Park City - especially at the Riverhorse Cafe - creates a classical hymn style of its own, as on an angelic version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "Pat-A-Pan/Noel Lammy." The musicians also interpret contemporary favorites, such as Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)" and the Browns' "Blue Christmas."
Utilizing Lori Decker's incredibly smooth vocal range, as well as classical guitars, mandolins, flutes, recorders, saxophones and bass fiddles, Lark & Spur captures the spirit of an Old World Christmas yet manages to mix in plenty of modern-day nostalgia. - S.I.
JOHN LONGHURST, CLAY CHRISTIAN-SEN & RICHARD ELLIOTT, "In Dulci Jubilo: A Christmas Celebration for Organ" (Bonneville Classics).
Here are no fewer than 26 classical pieces and carol arrangements, likewise inspired by the classics, served up on a somewhat distantly recorded Mormon Tabernacle Organ.
They run the gamut from the directness of John Longhurst's Bach (his setting of the title tune) to the chime-laden atmosphere of Clay Christiansen's "O Little Town of Bethlehem," with most of Richard Elliott's tracks falling somewhere in between.
I wish Elliott had been a little livelier, and more elegant, in Frederic Hohman's "Nutcracker" transcriptions. But it's hard to resist his "Winternacht" (Delius) and rhapsodic "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella," here showy but fun. Ditto Christiansen's Widorian toccata on "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Repertoire is also imaginative, including not only Wilbur Held's "Nativity Suite" but a "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" from the father of Andrew Lloyd Webber. - W.S.G.
LORIE LINE, "Sharing the Season, Vol. III" (Time Line Productions).
Pianist Lorie Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra give a jazzy twist to traditional Christmas songs. From the mid-Eastern sound of "The Little Drummer Boy" to the Latin rhythm of "Auld Lang Syne" and the rock 'n' roll beat of "Frosty the Snowman," the album showcases the wide range of Line's talents. The Pop Chamber Orchestra comes in with everything from violin to recorder, celtic harp, harmonica, saxophone and more for a rich, full-bodied sound.
"In each song I have tried to bring you a different musical influence, and I hope you will enjoy the variety of sounds on this album. There's something for everyone," Line says in the liner notes, which pretty well sums her approach. - C.W.
PETER McCANN, "What Christmas Really Means" (RCA).
Another country star who writes (or co-writes) his own music, Peter McCann offers 10 new songs that offer a mellow look at the holiday. "Santa Can't Party," which talks about how Santa is too busy to go honky-tonking on Christmas Eve, seems out of sync with the rest of the album; but "The Man Who Ran the Inn" offers a nice message about thinking of others, and "This Time of Year" captures the spirit of the season well.
"All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "I Feels Like Christmas" are tender love songs. And "The Star" puts a new spin on the old story: "Just another homeless family/Hoping for a stranger's charity. . . . They couldn't find a room for Him back then/But he found a place in the hearts of men. . . ." - C.W.
LOREENA McKENNITT, "A Winter Garden" (Warner Bros.-Quinlin Road).
A holiday gift to her fans, Canadian songstress Loreena McKennitt's "A Winter Garden" is a 221/2-minute extended-play collection that, as its subtitle indicates, includes "Five Songs for the Season." These are "Coventry Carol," "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "Good King Wenceslas," "Snow" and "Seeds of Love."
The atmosphere is of another time, as McKennitt's arrangements include harp, violins and acoustic guitars as well as occasional international flavoring such as the Indian tabla, accordion, pipes and the like. The first three songs are familiar to all, though McKennitt lends to them her distinctive, Celtic-influenced lilt. The last two are based, as often is her wont, on poetry. The lyrics of "Snow" come from an evocative 19th-century poem by Archibald Lampman, while those for "Seeds of Love" are listed as traditional. Very nice. - R.B.
BILLY McLAUGHLIN, "Wintersongs and Traditionals" (Proton Discs).
When working at home, on holiday projects or just getting in the seasonal mood, it's nice to have something mellow and Christmasy on the music system - and that's what acoustic guitarist Billy McLaughlin provides on this album. He isn't trying to floor listeners with virtuosic dexterity - he's out to calm and to charm.
McLaughlin accomplishes this with seven traditional carols, an excerpt from a Bach cantata and five originals. The self-penned tunes are contemporary guitar meditations with titles like "The White Bear," "Drift" and "South by Winter West." The traditionals are, of course, familiar - and are also melodically more substantial. "What Child Is This?" is simple and very lovely. "O Tannenbaum," the last of the tracks, is still subdued but takes on a delightful bit of swing. - R.B.
WILLIE NELSON and MERLE HAGGARD, "Pancho, Lefty and Rudolph" (Columbia).
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard are two of the good ol' boys of country music whose distinctive voices and style have earned them long careers in the industry. This album of previously released material showcases the two in a combination of Christmas and country-Christmas standards.
They take turns, with Willie chipping in renditions of "Jingle Bells," "Frosty," "Pretty Paper," "Silent Night" and "White Christmas," and Merle contributing "Rudolph," "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," "Blue Christmas," "Goin' Home for Christmas" and "If We Make It Through December." There are no surprises, but sometimes that's how you like it. - C.W.
THE SALT LAKE CHILDREN'S CHOIR, "Beside Thy Cradle" (Cherbourne).
Ralph B. Woodward, the choir's founder and director, has this group offer a dozen old chestnuts for the open fire, mixed in with fresh, unfamiliar material - including a couple of compositions of his own.
"Silent Night," "Bring a Torch" and "What Child Is This?" are set nicely against "Beside Thy Cradle Here I Stand" from Bach and the Czech carol "Shepherd's Lullaby." With the harp accompaniment and occasional strings, the effect is not so much a choir of angels as a choir of cherubs. The more than 40 voices follow a tradition begun in 1979 by singing with care and caring. - Jerry Johnston
SAXOPHONE SINFONIA, "Holiday Homecoming" (Open Loop).
An orchestra composed entirely of saxophones? Eleven of them, to be exact, ranging from soprano to contra bass. And without having heard it, you'll probably be surprised at the smoothly contoured sound they make, whether in the classically oriented arrangements on the first disc of this two-CD set or the jazzily laid-back ones that occupy the second.
Indeed, under conductor David Bilger the classical cuts, ranging from Bach and Handel to Malotte's "The Lord's Prayer," exude an Eastman Wind Ensemble-like polish. I also like John Worley's arrangements, remarkably varied in mood and color. Jazz fans, on the other hand, will probably prefer the Ralph Martino-arranged second disc, which opens with a relaxed "Christmas Song" and concludes with a spirited "Hoiday Homecoming Medley." In between come a perky "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and a ruminative "Silver Bells" - little surprises within the big surprise, as it were. - W.S.G.
SEATTLE GIRLS' CHOIR, Seattle Holiday (SDG Records).
These are high-minded Christmas songs sung in traditional styles - the kind of music you put on to meditate about the season, not just to hang the holly. Among the seasonal pieces are little gems such as "God Be In My Head," which will be lost to the rest of the year.
The singers perform with precision and assurance.
The cruise ship on the cover and the title "Seattle Holiday" may mislead some listeners, giving the impression they're in for some light, entertaining fare. This is not a seasonal pop album, however - unless you move in circles where Brahms, Britten and Berkey pass for pop. - J.J.
KELLY SHEPARDSON, "Twelve twenty-five" (Square One.)
Local vocalist Kelly Shepardson presents 10 songs that showcase the wide range of her talents. From the jazzy "Sleigh Ride," to the Southern gospel-like "Go Tell It on the Mountain" to the soft "Some Children See Him," Shepardson can serve up variety, harmony and style.
One of the prettiest is her version of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." She also proves she can write, with her original "I Cry The Day I Take The Tree Down," a love song that expresses the feeling of many: "I want the season to last year 'round." Shepardson's album is a nice addition to the growing number produced by local artists. - C.W.
BRAD SMITH, "The Gift: A Christmas Celebration" (Woodland).
Maybe because I grew up with two sisters who played it, I've always had a soft spot for the oboe. Brad Smith does nothing to counter that notion - if anything he reinforces the idea that this is an instrument of beauty.
Smith is a local musician who plays with the Ballet West Orchestra, the Utah Chamber Orchestra and the Intermountain Chamber Orchestra. His album showcases both the oboe and the English horn on such songs as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "O Holy Night," "The First Noel," "The Little Drummer Boy" "What Child Is This" and others. Arrangements were all done by James Prigmore and conducted by Daniel Hege. The album also features the talents of guitarist Tully Cathey, violinist Kelly Parkinson, cellist Ellen Bridger, harpist Lysa Rytting and Rick Nobis on the harpsichord.
This is a beautiful collection that lends itself to repeated listening. - C.W.
ROBIN SPIELBERG, "In the Heart of Winter" (North Star).
For sheer prettiness, this one is heart to beat. Featuring Robin Spielberg at the piano, with flute, fiddle, bells and other instruments as backup, the original songs create musical pictures, and the traditional songs take on new texture and meaning.
Who would have thought "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" could be almost a lullaby? "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Away in a Manger," "St. Basil's Hymn," "Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella" and "Still, Still, Still" are among other traditional songs presented. Her own creations include the flowing "Solstice Celebration" and "A Change of Seasons," which was inspired by autumn maples, and "First Night" to celebrate New Year's Eve.
The theme of Spielberg's collection comes from her "In The Heart of Winter": "In the heart of winter/With snow all around/There's a kindness warm and gentle/Buried in the ground/You can hear her if you listen/Breathing quiet in her sleep/When she awakens you will see/All the secrets that she keeps." Not a bad way to think of winter. - C.W.
LUTHER VANDROSS, "This Is Christmas" (LV/Epic).
The sentimental Christmas album never seems to go out of style. Though some are better than others, the latest from Luther Vandross is likely to be a favorite among the easy-listening and pop crowd.
The traditional-gospel "O Come All Ye Faithful," the popular "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and a jazzy take on the Rodgers & Hammerstein chant "My Favorite Things" are intertwined with Vandross' original slow jams, such as "With a Christmas Heart," the hip-hop flavored "The Mistletoe Jam" and the lovelorn "Every Year, Every Christmas," a cut co-written by pop-rocker Richard Marx.
The album does get cheesy with the funky "I Listen to the Bells" but regroups for the heartfelt "Please Come Home for Christmas." - S.I.
YOUNG AMERICANS, "Merry Christmas" (Young Americans).
Sounding just like the kids next door out caroling, this group of singers between the ages of 15 and 21 deliver a lot of traditional favorites - from the fun to the serious.
Songs include "Sleigh Ride," "Toyland" "White Christmas," "Some Children See Him" and "For Unto Us a Child Is Born." Although they get a bit cutsey at times ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" for example), they sound like they are having a good time, and their enthusiasm is catching.
The Young Americans are a nonprofit group founded to further understanding through youth and music. Not connected with any political organization, the group strives to "present youth constructively as they are and to represent the young people of this country to the world." - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "Billboard Top Christmas Hymns" (Rhino).
Traditional Christmas songs done in traditional ways. Nothing wrong with that, as this collection compiled by the "world's No. 1 chart researcher," Joel Whitburn, shows. These songs were chosen, he says, on the basis of chart performance and licensing availability. In the rare instance that a chart-topping hit could not be licensed, another was substituted.
The collection includes two songs by the Mormom Tabernacle Choir: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." Andy Williams offers up "O Holy Night," and Johnny Mathis contributes "The First Noel." Julie Andrews adds "Away in a Manger," and the Ray Conniff singers do "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." Several medleys - from the Harry Simeon Chorale, Harry Belafonte and John Gary - ensure that most of the other favorite Christmas carols are included. It makes a nice package. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "A Celtic Christmas" (Windham Hill).
There's not a lot that's overtly Christmasy on this Windham Hill sampler. Though billed as a "mix of traditional carols and newly composed works," the "traditional" pieces are not what most people will recognize. Rather, they are traditional in the "roots in Ireland" sense.
The popularity of Celtic music has flowered in recent years - a genre pioneered by groups such as the Chieftans and created with such instruments as the bouzouki, whistle, bodhrans, fiddles and Uilleann pipes. It is carried forth with spirit here by such groups and individuals as Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, Liam O'Flynn, Luka Bloom, Nightnoise and others.
Because the music's not familiar, that's not to say, however, that there isn't a lot of evocative music that will set a nice holiday mood. There's lots of talk (and sound) about winter snow and winter light: "The meadows and far-sheeted streams/Lie still without a sound/Like some soft minister of dreams/The snowfall hoods me round/In wood and water, earth and air/A silence everywhere." (From "Snow" by Loreena McKennitt). This is a nice one for a snowy, winter day, when such come along. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "A Christmas Collection" (Sparrow).
This two-disc set offers 30 "treasured carols by your favorite artists." The songs have all been previously released by the individual gospel and contemporary Christian artists, including CeCe Winans, Steven Curtis Chapman, Debby Boone, Stephen Green, Deniece Williams, John Michael Talbot and others.
These are mostly religious songs, with a few secular offerings tucked in. (And maybe, with this much space to work with, the arranging could have been smoother; going from the raucous "Jingle Bell Rock" to the majestic "For Unto Us" is somewhat jarring.) Many of the traditional carols ("Joy to the World," "We Three Kings") are included, as well as some less familiar hymns of praise, such as Michael Card's "Joseph's Song" and Talbot's "The Magnificat" and Jodi Benson's "Here In My Heart." Overall, the mood is one of rejoicing. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "Christmas Carols of the Young Messiah" (Sparrow).
A sampler of offerings from contemporary Christian artists, this alum has a joyful, upbeat feeling. Featured are such folks as BeBe and CeCe ("The First Noel"), Steven Curtis Chapman ("O Come All Ye Faithful"), Sandi Patty ("O Holy Night"), Point of Grace ("Hark! The Herald Angels Sing") and Wes King ("O Come, O Come Emmanuel").
Wayne Watson presents an exuberant "Angel Medley" combining several traditional favorites, and less familiar songs are served up by Chris Eaton ("Saviour's Day"), Carman ("For Unto You"), 4Him ("Season of Love") and Larnelle Harris ("Amen"). Here's an easy way to catch the spirit. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "Christmas of Hope" (Columbia).
This, one of the hippest, most superstar-laden anthologies of the season, is also a benefit effort on behalf of the City of Hope National Medical Center. Eleven big-name artists have loaned a song, and the result is an eclectic 41 minutes of music.
Bruce Springsteen leads off with a live, havin'-a-good-time performance of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," from 1975, while Aretha Franklin wraps it up with a gospel rendition of "Joy to the World." In between are such stars as Mariah Carey (her gospel-tinged "Silent Night" from last year), Elton John ("Step Into Christmas"), Don Henley and the Eagles (the 1978 holiday single "Please Come Home for Christmas") and Reba McEntire ("I'll Be Home for Christmas." Wynton Marsalis offers up a jazzy "Let It Snow!" with a traditional trumpet and untraditionally dissonant backup arrangement. John Mellencamp has a fun new tune, "Teddi's Song (When Christmas Comes)." Maybe the oddest inclusion is U2's song of both hope and despair, 1983's "New Year's Day." Also featured are James Brown (Charlie Brown's "Merry Christmas, Baby") and Aaron Neville ("Bells of St. Mary's"). - R.B.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "A Country Christmas, Volume V" (RCA).
Like a country sampler, this collection serves up a mixture of old and new - both established and new singers doing both traditional songs and new material.
Aaron Tippin gives "Rudolph" a country twang, Peter McCann's "Man Who Ran The Inn" is a tender ballad, while Clint Black offers a lighthearted 5-year-old's view on " 'Til Santa's Gone." The catchy rhythm of Ray Vega's "Take A Walk Through Bethlehem" underscores a message of getting back to the real meaning of the season.
"Angels Among Us" has been moving up the charts for Alabama; it's not necessarily a Christmas song, but certainly captures the current fascination with angels. Selections from John Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Lonestar, Lari White and Restless Heart round out the collection. And at the end, the Singing Dogs present "Jingle Bells" - a bit hokey, but 'tis the season. The liner notes are worth a look just for the clever clay art, which gives the package a perfect country feeling. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "Dr. Demento: Holidays in Dementia" (Rhino).
One might think Dr. Demento had exhausted Christmas comedy songs with his previous effort, "Dr. Demento Presents: The Greatest Christmas Novelty CD of All Time," and certainly the most famous were there - Stan Freberg's "Green Christmas," "The Chipmunk Song," "Jingle Bells" by the Singing Dogs and, of course, "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."
But by golly, here he is again with 17 more holiday hecklers on "Dr. Demento: Holidays in Dementia," and they range from downright hilarious ("The Twelve Pains of Christmas," "It's So Chic to Be Pregnant at Christmas," "Gridlock Christmas," Spike Jones' "Happy New Year") to cheerfully amusing ("Rusty Chevrolet," Father Guido Sarducci's "Santa's Lament") to truly twisted ("A Terrorist Christmas," "It's Christmas and I Wonder Where I Am," "The Pretty Little Dolly").
The general theme here is anarchy, of course, and though some selections are more goofy than inspired, many hit the mark by satirizing the commercialization and built-in trials and tribulations of the holiday season that you could say this is a prescription for comic relief, and just what the demented doctor ordered. - C.H.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "Mother and Child" (I.R.S. Records).
Other than being female singers, what do CeCe Winans, Suzy Bogguss, Amy Grant and Olivia Newton-John have in common? They are all mothers, which makes them perfect contributors to this album of lullabies and love songs celebrating children and the season.
With two familiar songs as bookends ("O Holy Night" by Martina McBride and "Ave Maria" by Beth Nielsen Chapman), the songs between are tender and moving and give the season a new perspective. Typical are Winans' celebration of love "All Is Well Tonight," Bogguss' look at the innocence of childhood on "Through Your Eyes" and Vesta's supplicative "Bless This Child."
Liner notes present comments from the artists about what their children mean to them. For instance, from Beth Nielsen Chapman: "Dressed in his changing shell/This child of mine remains/The voice of my laughter/The wind of my spirit." - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "Punk Rock X-mas" (Rhino).
This one's for you classic punk-rock fans. We're not talking about Green Day and Offspring here; we're speaking of the Dickies ("Silent Night"), Sloppy Seconds ("Hooray For Santa Claus - Theme From Santa Claus Conquers the Martians"), the Damned ("There Ain't No Sanity Claus") and, of course, the Ramones ("Merry Christmas - I Don't Wanna Fight").
The driving beats, kiss-off attitude and flagrant guitars are all here and then some.
Traditional tunes include an altered "Deck the Halls" by Metal Mike, Alison & Julia; El Vez's distorted take on Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad" and Stiff Little Fingers' "White Christmas." The Humpers even do a version of Chuck Berry's "Run Run Rudolph."
The more obnoxious topics include "Daddy Drank Our Xmas Money" by TVTV$, D.I.'s slaughter of Dr. Seuss' "Mr. Grinch" and Mojo Nixon's "Louie, Louie" revamp titled "Christmas, Christmas." Hey, ho! Merry Christmas! - S.I.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "Superstars of Christmas 1995" (Capitol).
With a title like that, you'd be excused for thinking this holiday album would be packed with newly minted carols, but that's not the case. Capitol Records has been stuffing old chestnuts into new packages for several years now in the CD age; this is merely the latest.
And with the Fab Four again all the rage, the label was inspired to start off with two numbers by ex-Beatles: Paul McCartney's rarely heard "Wonderful Christmastime," from the late '70s, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono's more familiar "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," from 1971.
Several veteran and contemporary artists follow, including Diana Ross for a lovely "Silent Night"; Willie Nelson on his own "Pretty Paper"; Richard Marx on another original, his pop-rock "You'll Never Be Alone"; Jon Secada's strong "O Holy Night," recorded last year during the "Christmas in Washington" concert; and the Beach Boys' '60s favorite, "Little Saint Nick. After Peggy Lee and a clatch of kids play around with "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (they sing: "Big fat Santa is on his way tonight"; now is that respectful, Peg?), the collection closes out in a traditional mood with Frank Sinatra ("I'll Be Home for Christmas"), Ella Fitzgerald ("The First Noel") and Nat King Cole ("O, Come All Ye Faithful"). - R.B.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Winter, Fire & Snow" (Atlantic).
This anthology, showcasing 15 artists and groups, is a true change of pace, perfect for those weary of the same old songs and carols - only one of these tracks might be considered "traditional," and that example is still unusual: the Gipsy Kings' lively "Los Peces en el Rio," sung in Spanish. (Purchasers of Mannheim Steamroller's latest best-selling Christmas album might be interested, for an instrumental version is featured there.)
Otherwise, most of these recordings are original compositions by a roster of performers from around the world: nuevo flamenco guitarist Ottmar Liebert, Ireland's Clannad and Anuna, Manu Dibango, harpist Andreas Vollenweider with South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
b-tribe set the mood with the eclectic "Peace on Earth," with R&B rhythms, classical guitar and ambient sound effects. Several songs are by fine female vocalists, including Patti Cathcart of Tuck & Patti, Phoebe Snow and Julia Fordham. Jane Siberry's unusual "Are You Burning, Little Candle?" and Mary Karlzen's folkish "(Not Just Until) The Season Ends" are among the most appealing, as is ex-Band guitarist Robbie Robertson's atmospheric "Christmas Must Be Tonight." A most delectable - and different - holiday collection. - R.B.
VARIOUS ARTISTS, "You Sleigh Me!" (Atlantic).
Atlantic Records has pulled together 12 of its contract artists for "You Sleigh Me!" which features a dozen modern interpretations of familiar - and less familiar - holiday tunes. As might be expected, some fare better than others, but as a collective it's surprisingly satisfying, a nice alternative to the syrupy arrangements we hear while walking through the mall.
Most affecting are Victoria Williams, Billy Pilgrim and Tori Amos' hearfelt offerings, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The First Noel" and "Little Drummer Boy," respectively. Donna Lewis' "Christmas Lights" is also quite touching, as is "25th December" by Everything But the Girl. And James Carter's wild, jazz-instrumental "White Christmas" is great. I'm not so sure about Jill Sobule's ode to dysfunctional families, "Merry Christmas From the Family," Daniel Johnston's fractured "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" (complete with off-key whistling) or Collective Soul's "Blue Christmas" (roll over, Elvis). Mary Karlzen's rockin' "Run Rudolph Run" is fun, however. - C.H.