The Christmas season is upon us again - and Utah is one state that really goes all out to celebrate this wonderful and magical time. In keeping with their international colleagues, Utah performers are among those who have released Christmas albums for the 1996 season.
Following are short reviews, by Deseret News staff writers, of holiday collections with local links - and a throng of other new yuletide albums.
OF LOCAL INTEREST
KURT BESTOR; "Christmas, Volume Two" (BWE Music).
Kurt Bestor is a master at creating mood, as he proves once again in his latest Christmas collection. He offers up a celebration in every sense of the word: joyous, reverent, respectful. His music is layered and profound, giving new dimensions to old favorites.
"Each tune I've chosen has a special meaning to me, bringing to mind a special yuletide moment or place," Bestor says of the song selection. Among those getting the Bestor treatment are "I Wonder As I Wander," "Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella," "Some Children See Him" and "The First Noel." The Salt Lake Children's Choir adds a beautiful touch on "Joy To The World." And "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring" is a nice finale; "its message is one I wanted to leave as a final thought," says Bestor. - Carma Wadley
CORI & MERLYNN; "Sleepy Little Town" (Seven Roses Music).
The singing duo of Cori Connors and Merlynn Schofield have been making a name for themselves in recent years both in local and regional circles. Connors' songs have been recorded by Linda Ronstadt and Chris LeDoux, and their earlier album, "Out of the Blue," gained some local acclaim. This Christmas album features 10 original songs written by Connors (plus "O Holy Night" and "Our Gift To You"), done with the duo's trademark style - tight vocal harmonies and guitar accompaniment.
Songs such as "Down the Road to Home," "Is It Snowing Tonight?" "You Would Have Loved This," "Flexible Flyer" and the title tune feature a softness and gentleness that evoke Christmases of yesteryear. "Heavenly Choirs" pays tribute to (and uses the voices of) children. And important messages are passed on in such songs as "Who Is This Babe" and "Wise Men Seek Him Still." - C.W.
THE HAMILTON SINGERS; "Sing Noel" (self-released).
The Hamilton Singers are 12 friends who got together to sing for church a few years ago and had such a good time they kept going. Their music, done exclusively a capella, is characterized by rich, beautiful harmonizations perfectly suited for the selection of 20 hymns, carols and Christmas songs they've chosen for this CD.
They capture perfectly the essence of simple carols such as "Silent Night" and "Away in the Manger" and convey the intricacies of more complex songs, such as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "Angels We Have Heard on High." Also included are some lesser-known songs, such as the very pretty "Gaelic Blessing," the exotic "Spanish Shepherd's Carol," the spiritual "Gonna Tell the Story" and the contemporary "Christmas Eve." It's all very soft and lyrical - a collection that lends itself to repeated listening. - C.W.
CHUCK NEGRON; "Joy to the World" (Golden Arrow Productions).
Utah was once ground zero for Three Dog Night fans, so many will recognize the name of Chuck Negron as one of the lead singers of the hit-making group of the late '60s and '70s. But a local attraction for this 10-song collection is the participation of the Salt Lake Children's Choir and director Ralph B. Woodward on several tracks.
The children's voices add angelic dimension to songs like "When You Wish Upon a Star," David Foster's "Grown Up Christmas List" and the concluding "Alleluia." Otherwise, Negron's approach is adult contemporary with a beat. We get updated, blue-eyed soulful arrangements of old favorites like "O Come All Ye Faithful," "O Holy Night" and "White Christmas." Usually it works; sometimes it doesn't. ("I'll Be Home for Christmas" in particular falls flat.)
And yes - as you'd expect, the classic "Joy to the World" does indeed merge with Three Dog Night's monster hit of the same name, with a lively disco beat behind it all to boot. - Ray Boren
BRETT RAYMOND; "Primarily for Christmas" (Shadow Mountain).
See related story beginning on W1.
OTHER RELEASES
ALABAMA; "Christmas, Volume II" (RCA).
Country music has always been a tradition at Christmas, and with the slew of new artists coming up in the style, it's nice to have someone familiar to fall back on. Alabama is one such group.
"Christmas, Volume II" is a collection of original and traditional season tunes. Such favorites as the reverent "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Little Drummer Boy" mix well with a bluesy "The Night Before Christmas," a thoughtful "The Christmas Spirit" and "I Was Young Once Too."
The more upbeat honky-tonkers include "Hangin' 'Round the Mistle Toe," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "When It Comes to Christmas." - Scott Iwasaki
KATHLEEN BATTLE & CHRISTOPHER PARKENING; "Angels' Glory" (Sony).
If it's rapt simplicity and intimacy you are looking for this Christmas, this new Sony Classical CD may be your first choice. A follow-up to Battle and Parkening's best-selling "The Pleasures of Their Company" from 1986, it offers the American soprano and guitarist in 21 selections, only a few of which draw on what might be called standard carols or holiday songs.
These range from the spiritual arrangements of Jacqueline B. Hairston to "Silent Night" - which, be it remembered, was first performed with guitar - all ravishingly sung and sensitively accompanied. Highlights for me include a moving rendition of John Jacob Niles' "I Wonder As I Wander" and the Catalan nativity song "El Desembre Congelat" (which the Tabernacle Choir once recorded as "The Three Kings").
Angelic indeed. - William S. Goodfellow
THE BENEDICTINE MONKS ON SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS; "Christmas Chants" (Jade).
At first listen - unless you know Latin - this collection of Gregorian chants might not seem very Christmasy (other than the version of "Adestes Fideles"). But if you read about the works, you find out just how well-suited for his time of year they are.
Early in this century, the monastery of Silos "actively participated" in the restoration of Gregorian chant. The Christmas chants are, as the album notes observe, "self-restrained, anxious, fulfilling that moment about which Fray Pedro de Padilla, in his cancionero Sagrado of 1858, wrote: `The night shrouded in silence and things suspended, awaiting for the glorious hour.' " But they also become "jubilant, albeit with a restrained happiness." It is a respectful, reverent sound that fits in well with the spirit of the season - a blending of rich, resonant voices that are carrying on a tradition that is centuries old. - C.W.
MICHAEL BOLTON; "This Is The Time: The Christmas Album" (Columbia).
Fans have been clamoring for a full-length seasonal album ever since Michael Bolton recorded "White Christmas" on his multiplatinum "Timeless (The Classics)" album in 1992. "My fans have been asking for a Christmas album for a long time now, and I've always wanted to do one. This was the time," he says.
In addition to eight holiday classics - "Silent Night," "Joy To The World," "The Christmas Song," "O Holy Night" and "White Christmas" among them - there are two new love songs written by Bolton: "This Is The Time," done as a duet with country recording artists Wynonna, and "Love Is The Power." Both are vintage Bolton. In addition, there is a duet with Placido Domingo on "Ave Maria," in which Bolton easily holds his own - showing the range and emotion that he brings to his music. - C.W.
BOYS OF THE LOUGH; "Midwinter Night's Dream" (Blix Street Records).
The Boys of the Lough are one of the world's most noted and experienced Celtic bands, having played the world over for more than 25 years. Their latest album brings together a collection of traditional Celtic and Scottish Christmas and seasonal songs - holiday music that is not as frequently heard in the United States. They range from toe-tapping jigs and reels to contemplative ballads and haunting melodies, evoking both joy and reverence for the season. Many are songs that the Boys sang with their families around the Christmas fire in their youth.
The very pretty Wexford Carol is showcased here, as is "Da Day Dawn," an evocative solo fiddle piece that was said to have been played to the laird in Shetland on Yule morning and at no other time. "The Papa Stour Sword Dance" is a ritual dance performed at Christmas on the tiny island of Papa Stour. And "The Dying Year" is a moody piece, one that lingers in your mind. - C.W.
JIMMY BUFFETT; "Christmas Island" (Margaritaville-MCA).
Though born on Christmas Day himself 50 years ago, Jimmy Buffett hardly seems the likeliest candidate for a solo holiday album. And just as you'd expect, his "Christmas Island" transports the season to a sun-dappled place closer to Margaritaville than the North Pole.
The title theme, a long-ago holiday hit ideal for a Buffett remake, is nicely done with an equatorial lilt; his translation of "Jingle Bells" is more reminiscent of Jamaica than Vermont, and "Up on the Housetop" is propelled by a surf guitar. He also does nice takes on "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)."
The Buffett originals are equally "alternative" to the usual spirit. "Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rhum" is sympathetic to the overworked Santa, while "Merry Christmas, Alabama (Never Far From Home)" is a tribute to all the singer's homes over the years, from Key West to Colorado.
And don't eject the CD too early - about a minute after the last listed song ends, Buffett launches into a reading of Clement Moore's " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas." - R.B.
CHIP DAVIS AND FRIENDS; "Holiday Musik" (American Gramaphone).
"Holiday Musik" merges two of Chip Davis' past inspirations: his very popular Mannheim Steamroller Christmas albums ("A Fresh Aire Christmas" and "Christmas In the Aire" among them) and his "Day Parts" series ("Sunday Morning," "Romance," "Party," etc.).
The intent, says Davis, is to create an album that can be played on ANY holiday, including Christmas - or, in fact, just about any time a classical mood seems like a good idea. Think of it as "A Fresh Aire Sunday Morning."
Davis and longtime cohorts like violinist/conductor Arnie Roth and keyboardist Jackson Berkey serve up a variety of mostly short (generally from 34 seconds to three minutes long) classical pieces, ranging from the Reiche fanfare familiar to those who watch "CBS Sunday Morning" to excerpts from Bach's Brandenburg Concerti to Respighi's Ancient Airs and Dances. There are harpsichord solos, small ensembles and orchestral pieces.
Those who've seen Mannheim Steamroller in Christmastime performances will be reminded of the "feast" scenes the combo sets up. Classical music purists might be put off by the multicentury-spanning eclecticism of it all, as well as hiccupy effect of such brief selections, but past fans will enjoy "Holiday Musik" as background sound for just about any gentle occasion. - R.B.
EMPIRE BRASS QUINTET; "An Empire Brass Christmas: The World Sings" (Telarc).
Another mostly intimate collection of holiday music, and in this case surprisingly so. Because instead of constantly pulling out the stops, what the Empire Brass offers on this new Telarc release is new-agey arrangements of everything from "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" to the "Arabian Dance" from "The Nutcracker."
In this they are supported by guitars and other electronic and acoustic instruments and joined on several tracks by Laurie Monahan, a singer of a pronounced boyish timbre. I don't care for their "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," in which you can practically smell the incense. But that is followed by a jazzily upbeat "The Holly and the Ivy" and a beautifully underplayed "Carol of the Bells," as well as a mallet-driven "Patapan" and a "Little Drummer Boy" who seems to have studied in Africa, Arabia and the Caribbean. A real demo track this, featuring brass playing of the highest order. - W.S.G.
ESQUIVEL; "Merry Xmas from the Space Age Bachelor Pad" (NON Records).
Juan Garcia Esquivel's offbeat "Merry Xmas from the Space Age Bachelor Pad" is a not particularly satisfying "cocktail music" collection. The album begins and ends with a brief, Latin-flavored monologue, though the music is strictly Anglo big-band bland, albeit with goofy sound effects and "oobie-doobie" vocals throughout.
Except for the odd wrap-around device, it's played straight, with elevator-music renditions of "Jingle Bells," "White Christmas," etc., all tracks recorded by Esquivel from 1959-1962. - C.H.
JORMA KAUKONEN; "Christmas" (American Heritage).
The simply titled "Christmas" album from Jorma Kaukonen (formerly of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna) is at its best on the instrumental tracks, with Kaukonen showing off his guitar prowess on "Downhill Sleigh Ride," "Journey of the Three Wise Men" and the lengthy jam session "Holiday Marmalade," as well as a nice, bluesy electric guitar on "What Child Is This?"
His novelty song "Christmas Rule" (with an unnecessary vulgarity repeated a couple of times) is a matter of taste, and isn't likely to replace "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" as an alternative to this season's usual saccharine fare. Kaukonen's rendition of "Christmas Blues," the traditional "Baby Boy" and a ditty about making it through another year, "You're Still Standing," are much better. - Chris Hicks
KITARO; "Peace On Earth" (Domo).
"Peace On Earth" is new age Christmas music from Kitaro, with the Japanese musician's unique covers of such traditional tunes as "Angels We Have Heard on High," "The First Noel," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," among others.
Especially satisfying are "Little Drummer Boy" and "Silent Night," and fans will enjoy a Kitaro-penned "The Great Spirit." (Proceeds benefit the environmental charity Earth Communications Office.) - C.H.
PATTI LABELLE; "This Christmas" (MCA).
First released in 1990, this album has been updated with the addition of "Angel Man," a track from "Voice of the Homeless: I'll Be Home For Christmas," which is a soft, lyrical tune about sailing on to better times and better places.
"This Christmas" is a jazzy, up-tempo celebration of the holiday and a call for brotherhood ("there would be a good feeling all over the land . . . `If Every Day Could Be Like Christmas.' " "Wouldn't It Be Beautiful" . . . "if the nations of the world could live in peace." It's vintage LaBelle, known in some circles as "the queen of rock 'n' soul" and a sure-fire way to get in a toe-tapping mood for Christmas. - C.W.
MECO; "Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album" (Rhino).
Remember Meco Monardo, the techno-wizard who brought the disco version of the themes from "Star Wars" to radio, complete with laser sound effects? Well, Rhino has grabbed the rights to his original 1980 "Star Wars Christmas Album" and rereleased it.
Well, as you can guess, it's for kids and the young at hearts. Anthony Daniels reprises his role as C3PO, while the computer makes sounds as R2D2.
The concept album follows the two 'Droids as they search for the meaning of Christmas. And in this case, the meaning is giving and love.
Original tunes such as "Christmas in the Stars," "Bells, Bells, Bells," and "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas" are fun, if not a bit cheesy. And then there's "R2D2, We Wish You a Merry Christmas," which features an 18-year-old Jon Bon Jovi leading a childrens' choir. The track was recorded three years before his band Bon Jovi released its first album, and therefore, he is credited with his real surname, Bongiovi. Incidentally, Bon Jovi's cousin, Tony Bongiovi, co-produced the album. - S.I.
MARY MARGARET O'HARA; "Joy to the World E.P." (Koch).
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but the only problem with this limited edition, four-song release is that it's actually too short.
O'Hara, a Canadian singer/songwriter, has been scarcely heard from in the eight years since she released "Miss America." If anything, her beautiful and emotional interpretation of these holiday standards prove the wait was worth it.
"What Are You Doing Christmas Eve?" benefits from her throaty vocals, while the somewhat Hawaiian atmosphere of Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas" seems more than appropriate to anyone who's seen the movie of the same name. - Jeff Vice
SANDI PATTY; "O Holy Night!" (Word/Epic).
"O Holy Night!" her latest Christmas album, is Christian music favorite Sandi Patty at her best.
The album begins with the big symphonic blast of "Angels We Have Heard On High," an appropriate opener for this joyful collection. Then, taking some Old World and magical strains, Patty moves into an elaborate rendition of "Carol of the Bells" and a nostalgic medley including "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas."
Other carols include "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," Rogers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things," "Silver Bells," Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song," "Child of Peace" and "Star of Bethlehem."
True to the Sandi Patty style, these arrangements are rich with orchestration and background choirs. The album is a holiday special for the ears. - S.I.
QUAD CITY DJS; "Quad City All Stars Christmas" (Big Beat/Atlantic).
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, thumping all the way?!
The Miami DJ crew Quad City attempts to derail the "Macarena" train (don't we all wish someone would?) by making some familiar Christmas carols into bass-heavy dance numbers, complete with rap and hip-hop rhythms.
Some are funny for only so long, though, and despite the funny idea behind transforming "The Little Drummer Boy" into "Lil' Bass Boi" and making "White Christmas" a boom-box anthem (both songs throb so mightily they might just shred your speakers), the fun runs out in a big hurry. - J.V.
COLLIN RAYE; "Christmas: The Gift" (Epic).
Collin Raye's rich, warm voice and great sense of balladry have taken him high on the country charts with such songs as "Love, Me," "One Boy, One Girl" and "I Think About You." Now he turns to the holidays, with the kind of album that works well for him: traditional Christmas songs.
There's not a lot that's new, nothing fancy, just old favorites such as "The Christmas Song," "The First Noel," "Winter Wonderland," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "O Holy Night" done in his warm and pleasing style. "It Could Happen Again" is a touching ballad centered around a Christmas ceasefire in World War I. And he gets some help from young voices on "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night," which adds a nice touch. But for the most part, he lets the music - and his voice - speak for themselves. - C.W.
THE SCHOLA CANTORUM OF ST. PETER'S; "The Chant of Christmas Midnight" (Imaginary Road).
Another collection of chants, this one takes you to a gothic cathedral at midnight on Christmas Eve. The chant on this recording is a variant of Gregorian chant sung by the Norbertine canons, notes the introduction, and much of the material has never been recorded before. But it is continuing a long tradition.
"From its roots in Judaism and its inception and growth in the world of the Mediterranean basin, the worship of the Christian Church has been sung," we're informed The midnight service has two parts. The first is a service of psalms, scripture lessons and choral responses. Then the focus shifts to the altar for the "mystery and beauty of the Midnight Mass." The voices and the songs are pure and beautiful, a blending of male and female, that create a holy, spiritual holiday feeling. - C.W.
SERAH; "Voice of Amethyst: Carol For All Seasons" (Great Northern Arts).
Serah is billed as a "lyrical impressionist" who has done "ground-breaking" work in such albums as "Flight of the Stork" and "Out of the Wind." She now turns her attention to Christmas in this collection of nine original songs and one traditional English carol ("Sweet Was the Song").
"Christmas means something special to me, and I wanted to make a record that would be an expression of love for all mankind," Serah says. "Hopefully, these songs, each in its own way, touch all the different aspects of that idea."
Her ethereal sound and her lyrics in such songs as "Love of Christmas," "Come Gather Round," "Gabriel's Song" and "Face of Christmas" speak well to that idea. There does, however, tend to be a sameness to the songs that might have been broken up by the addition of a few more traditional songs. Still, if you want a soft and lyrical mood, this will do it. - C.W.
PHIL SHEERAN; "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (Passage).
For Christmas with an instrumental/jazz guitar flair, check out Phil Sheeran's "I'll Be Home for Christmas." Such classic holiday tunes as "What Child Is This," "Silent Night" and "O Come, O Come Emanuel" are performed with a smooth, contemporary twist.
Other familiar carols and songs include "Silver Bells," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Little Drummer Boy (Strummer Boy)" and the album's title cut, played with jazzy freedom that captures the carefree feel of the season. - S.I.
SMALL-TORRES GUITAR DUO; "Winterlight" (Shadow Mountain).
If the idea of guitars for Christmas appeals to you, here's a double dose served up by Mark Small and Robert Torres, complemented here and there by oboe, violin and cello.
The result is attractively textured, often contemplative renditions of mostly familiar carols. Occasionally I find things overly contemplative, such as in "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," here considerably longer on comfort than joy. But some holiday spice can be found in their vividly detailed "Sussex Carol" (A K A "On Christmas Night") and brightly ornamented "Hallelujah" Chorus, apparently based on an 18th-century transcription for harpsichord, four hands. And even amid the quieter fantasies, such as one on the LDS Primary song "Mary's Lullaby," the harmonic development manages to hold one's interest without ever being less than tasteful. - W.S.G.
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA; "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" (Lava).
The big sound of a rock orchestra is at the center of this album, a surprising concept springing from the mind of Savatage founder Jon Oliva.
No surprise is the album's centerpiece, "Christmas Eve," which was featured on Savatage's last album, "Dead Winter Dead." Some great melodic rock to go with the yule and tide of the season will, undoubtedly, have some metalheads singing praise. Others might want the angelic bursts of guitars to lay low on a silent night. - S.I.
VANESSA WILLIAMS; "Star Bright" (Mercury).
Vanessa Williams needs some new advisers, if "Star Bright," a wildly uneven collection of pop renditions of (mostly) traditional Christmas tunes, is any indication.
Williams is in fine voice, and there are some terrifically soulful, emotionally satisfying pieces here, the best being "Gracious Good Shepherd" and "Sleep Well Little Children," along with a terrific duet with Bobby Caldwell on "Baby, It's Cold outside."
But some are mediocre, and a couple are downright awful. The worst is a pop version of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," which reduces the message that "Christ Is Born in Bethlehem" to what sounds like a jingle for Shop-Ko. Yikes. - C.H.
ANTHOLOGIES
SELECTED ARTISTS; "Celtic Christmas II" (Windham Hill).
The concept behind the "Celtic Christmas" collections must be something like this: When you tire of the umpteenth new-age version of "The Carol of the Bells" or another twisted take on "Santa Baby," maybe you'd like to put on music that's pretty much unfamiliar yet appropriately soothing.
The 14 tracks on this second volume from Windham Hill seem, as a rule, to have only a tenuous link to the holidays, if any at all to those outside the Emerald Isle. Only the title implies such a tie, while a note on the back of the CD describes these as "uplifting arrangements that beautifully reflect the joy and spirit of the holiday season." Some of the songs have lyrics (in Gaelic and English), others do not, and many are about half and half. Almost all have a folk tinge to them.
Among the best are the opening "Chanonry Point" by keyboardist-whistle player Phil Cunningham and guitarist-vocalist Manus Lunny; Capercaillie's lovely and atmospheric "Muladach Mi Is Mir Air M'Aineol" (try saying that!); and flutist James Galway's "The Wexford Carol" and "I'll Rock You to Rest." With their lullaby-like lilt, the latter are about the most traditionally Christmasy on the menu, though a bit of the seasonal spirit is indeed present. - R.B.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Bending Towards The Light . . . A Jazz Nativity" (Milan).
It's a story that has been told before, beautifully, by scriptures, by songs, by all those children in all those pageants down through the years, notes Charles Kuralt in the introduction to this performance, recorded live at Avery Fisher Hall. But, he says, we are telling it again - in jazz. "Christmas is a very spiritual season, and jazz is a very spiritual music . . . what you hear comes straight from the heart."
For fans of pure jazz, it probably doesn't get any better than this. The program starts with the prelude "Bending Toward the Light," then traces the Biblical story through "Silent Night," "The First Noel," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and other carols. It offers a rousing rendition of "We Three Kings," featuring three jazz kings: Jon Faddis, Tito Puente and Al Grey. There's more talk about the light and a good 23 minutes of Decking the Halls before Kuralt comes on again to wrap it all up. It is a celebration, he says, of light over darkness, and we can be the doors and windows through which the light shines.
Other featured performers include Benny Powell, Bill Mayes, Lionel Hampton, Dave Brubeck, Maeretha Stewart, Jimmy Slyde and a whole cast more. The program has been a tradition for the past 10 years in New York and now will reach a wider audience. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Blame It On Christmas" (Schoolkids Records).
With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Schoolkids tells the story of this album: "We spent our summer on a worldwide search for the weirdest, most outrageous and often most daring Christmas songs ever recorded. Traveling from Dublin to Dusseldorf, from Havana to Hawaii, from Chicago to the Congo, we unearthed a host of rare, really rare holiday treasures."
For example, "Silent Night" done as a Sousa march, "White Christmas" done with an Irish lilt, and "The Frosty Snowman" straight out of a Russian gulag. The Three Weissmen do "Schlepp the Halls With Loaves of Hallah," and the Three Bings do "We Three Bings." "The Second Noel" comes from the New Havana Rhythm Kings (with no explanation as to why they couldn't do the first one), and the Continentals offer up "The Inexcelsis Polka." And more.
How weird is it? "Exquisitely weird," says Schoolkids, and they just might be right. If you get tired of traditional Christmas music, pull this one out of the something different file. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "The Carols of Christmas" (Windham Hill).
If you want to get to the reverence of the Christmas spirit, you won't have to look further than the Windham Hill label.
The pioneering instrumental home of such artists as George Winston, Liz Story and Michael Hedges is at it again with "The Carols of Christmas."
Opening with the magical Jim Brickman rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear" and ending with Brian Keane's contemporary jazz guitar take on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," the album is for those who want to sit by the fire at night and drift while the snow falls outside.
Bassist Michael Manring taps the strings with "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," while Winston and Story play it out on "Christmas Time Is Here" and "Simple Gifts," respectively.
Other artists include Will Ackerman ("Emmanuel"), Steve Morse and Manuel Barruecco ("Carol of the Bells") and David Darling ("O Holy Night"), just to name a few more. - S.I.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Cartoon Christmas" (Nick at Night Records).
Remember all those cute cartoon specials that dot the tube at Christmastime? "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and more. After a few years you pretty much had the story memorized, but the songs always seemed fresh and fun.
This is a collection of some of the best of those songs, including the light and sparkly "Welcome Christmas" from the "Grinch," Jimmy Durante's classic "Frosty the Snowman," Burl Ives' "Holly Jolly Christmas," Fred Astaire doing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and the Muppets' rendition of "We Need a Little Christmas." Together they're a a lot of fun for kids and nostalgic adults.
Included in the liner notes are some cute letters from kids that show how much a part of our lives these cartoons have become: "Dear Muppets: I always thought you were puppets, but if you prefer to be called cartoon characters i won't say anything. Your friend, Laurie." - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Christmas Cocktails" (Capitol).
Sing along, now: Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Cha Cha Cha. If that sounds interesting, you're in for a treat with "Christmas Cocktails," the latest entry in Capitol's "Ultra-Lounge" series, described as "Hi-fi holiday cheer from Santa's pad."
Alternately goofy and swinging, the album kicks off with "Rudolph," complete with Billy May's wisecracks. With each cut you'll conjure up visual images . . . Ray Anthony's "Jingle Bells" could be colorfully tattooed Goldie Hawn dancing on "Laugh-In," Peggy Lee's "Winter Wonderland" is a warm fireplace in a dimly lit room, Jimmy McGriff's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" might be roller-skating Santas - and if Julie London's sultry "I'd Like You for Christmas" doesn't get your pulse racing, you're late for your own funeral.
It's almost disappointing to report that Nat King Cole's classic take on "The Christmas Song" is also here. It's so, well, traditional. - C.H.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Country Christmas" (Rhino).
If you're a country music fan who likes "old" country, here's a collection of previously recorded material for you. Other than Alan Jackson (doing "A Holly Jolly Christmas"), most of the artists here don't get much radio play these days: Buck Owens, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Michael Martin Murphey. But they offer a classic country sound.
Johnny Cash's "The Little Drummer Boy" is one of the more unusual renditions; Loretta Lynn puts a good old country lilt into "Country Christmas," Jim Reeves' "An Old Christmas Card" is sentimental and touching. Emmylou Harris' version of "Away in a Manger" is sweet. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; `Emmanuel" (Sparrow Communications).
"Emmanuel: A Musical Celebration Of the Life Of Christ" is a contemporary Christian musical based on the life of Christ that will be touring some parts of the country this season. It features original compositions by Dove Award-winners Greg Nelson and Bob Farrell, with three songs by Michael W. Smith. Featured performers include some of the top names from the contemporary gospel scene, including Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Point of Grace, Twila Paris, BeBe Winans, Susan Ashton, Gary Chapman and others.
The main theme sets the tone with a full, rich sound that is followed by a collection of songs based on Biblical passages that are joyful and uplifting. If you miss the tour (and it doesn't come to Salt Lake), you can still celebrate the season with the CD. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "A Froggy Christmas" (Macola Records).
Frogs are among the hottest critters around these days. So, it's only natural that Macola Records, the folks who gave us "Jingle Cats," have turned the mike over to the frogs. Appearing on the CD are the like of host and headliner Froggus "Bud" Lewis, Frog Marley, Ribbit Goulet, Elvis Frogsley, Toady Keith and the Oak Creek Boys, the Surf Frogs and a bunch of others, who offer new versions of traditional Christmas songs ("Croakin' Bells," "O Lily Pad, O Lily Pad," "The Twelve Frogs of Christmas") in each frog's inimitable style. (The CD features "real live, honest-to-goodness frog and wildlife sounds.") It's a lot of fun for those who can proudly say, "We Wish You A Froggy Christmas!" - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Jingle All the Way" (TVT Soundtrax).
Throughout Arnold Schwarzenegger's new comedy "Jingle All the Way," familiar Christmas songs are heard, playing against the slapstick action. So it's only natural that some have landed on the soundtrack album, including Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run," Johnny Mathis on "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms, etc.
A few new pieces are OK, from Lou Rawls doing "So They Say It's Christmas" to Darlene Love and the Brian Setzer Orchestra on "Sleigh Ride." But another song with Love and Setzer, "Deep in the Heart of XMas" should have stayed in the one-more-rewrite stack, if not the circular file. David Newman's two instrumental score tracks are so-so additions. - C.H.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Just Say Noel," (Geffen Records).
This is not your traditional Christmas album. In fact, it's billed as Christmas for the "Alternative Nation. Both cheery and bleak, festive and melancholy, `Just Say Noel' is music for a generation without a Bing or Perry (Como that is), a generation without much original music in the holiday spirit or even dispirited holiday music."
So here it is. Artists featured include Beck, Aimee Mann, Southern Culture on the Skids, Elastica and Sonic Youth, and Wild Colonials. Several original songs are included ("The Little Drum Machine Boy," "Christmas Is Quiet"), along with a variety of covers ("Santa Doesn't Cope Out on Dope," "Merry Christmas Baby" and "Amazing Grace"). - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Ki Ho Alu Christmas" (Dancing Cat Records).
This combination of original, traditional and Hawaiian songs showcases a musical style called slack key guitar, "a mainstay of entertainment and relaxation in many `ohana (families), assuring it a role in Hawaiian Christmas celebration." The album brings together the artists of a dozen of today's most celebrated slack key guitar masters, including Aunty Genoa Keawe, Nina Keali'iwahamana, the Sons of Hawaii, the Brothers Cazimero and Cindy Combs.
Some of the songs will be familiar to off-islanders - "Do You Hear What I Hear?" "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," "Little Drummer Boy" and two versions of "Silent Night." Other songs are not: "Christmas Memories," "Christmas Carol Waltz," "Kanaka Waiwai & Iesu No Ke Kahuhipa." They are mostly instrumental, with only a few vocal selections. But they provide a nice alternative to snow. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Merry Soulful Christmas" (MCA).
The groove and thump of soulful rhythm and blues have always been a part of celebrations. And what better way to bring on the yuletide cheer than with some groovy original holiday songs?
Patti LaBelle heads up this compilation with "This Christmas" and the tradition is carried on with Utah's own Jets doing "I'm Home for Christmas." Stephanie Mills makes three appearances - on "Merry Christmas," "Christmas With You" and the traditional "Silent Night." New Edition takes on "The Joy of Christmas" and "All I Need for Christmas Is My Girl."
While the originals don't quite rank up there with soulful arrangements of traditional carols, they're pretty moveable. And when you have a party that needs livening up, "Merry Soulful Christmas" might do the trick. - S.I.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "New Wave Xmas" (Rhino).
The '80s are over! But it sure was fun. And moving the dayglo ties, thin-lined sunglasses and rock music pins into the halo of mistletoe, Rhino Records has compiled "New Wave Xmas."
XTC (billed as the Three Wise Men) show gratitude with "Thanks for Christmas," while Squeeze gets religious with "Christmas Day." Other artists such as Los Lobos ("Rudolph the Manic Reindeer"), Throwing Muses ("Santa Claus") and Miracle Legion ("Little Drummer Boy") find their way to joy, as do Timbuk 3 ("All I Want for Christmas") and They Might Be Giants ("Santa's Beard").
On a more serious note, the famous David Bowie/Bing Crosby collaboration, "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" makes its second bona fide recording appearance since its taping in 1977. - S.I.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "O Come All Ye Faithful: Rock 4 Choice" (Columbia).
No matter which side you sit on in the abortion issue, there's little debate as to the worthiness of this alternative rock, "pro-choice" collection of Yule songs - it stinks.
From the smarmy "I Did It for the Toys," from ska act Dance Hall Crashers to the dull "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by the Cranes to Henry Rollins' heavy-handed reading of " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" (complete with the sounds of urban gang warfare), there's little to "ho-ho" about here.
Only numbers by Juliana Hatfield (the sappy but warm "Make It Home") and Mike Watt (a downright funky rewrite of "The Little Drummer Boy") manage to be memorable. But the ultimate has to be the lame and wimpy "Good King Somethingorother" from British rockers Bush. What's the matter, guys, couldn't be bothered to learn the real title? - J.V.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Special Gift" (Island).
There's more Christmas with soul on "Special Gift." The Isley Brothers, Mona Lisa, Kurtis Blow and even Luke (from 2 Live Crew) are part of this seasonal celebration.
While some of the songs work - Mona Lisa's gospelesque "Silent Night" and the old-school rap of Blow's "Christmas Rappin' " - there are a few song that should have been left in the cold.
Take Nneka & Myron's "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." It's sluggish and not very joyful. In fact, Myron - who also does "Little Drummer Boy" - loses a lot of originality because he sounds too much like Stevie Wonder.
And though the offbeat, rapid hip-hop Luke tune, "Christmas Time Is Party Time," has been censored, it should have been cut altogether. - S.I.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "World Christmas" (Metro Blues).
The fourth in the series of "A Very Special Christmas" albums benefiting Special Olympics, this disc features new instrumental and vocal performances of traditional Christmas songs by some of the superstars of world music, including Cesarian Evora, Papa Wemba, Mino Cenelu, Deep Ofrest, Gipsy Kings, Gilberto Gil and the Caribbean Jazz Project.
Titles include "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." This is a lively, upbeat and exotic mix of sounds and rhythms drawn from every genre of popular music around the world. And if nothing else, it serves as a reminder that Christmas is a global celebration. - C.W.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "World Famous Children's Choirs Sing Christmas Songs" (Milan Records).
Christmas is a sweet season full of sweet songs. And the sweetest versions of those are often performed by children.
"World Famous Children's Choirs Sing Christmas Songs" is an anthology of the angelic strains of the Vienna Boys Choir, the Versailles Saint-Francis Boys' Choir, Regensburger Domspatzen and three other youth groups. The songs are mostly sung in German, with the voices of random clerks and countertenors added for effect. Accompaniment tends to be simple. Several pieces are done a capella.
Highlights include the Escolania de Montserrat doing Mendelssohn's "Veni Domine," the Vienna Boys on "Still, Still, Still," and the Choir of the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Cruz offering an album-closing 10 minutes of "Angel, San Jose y Nuestra Senora" by Padre Antonio Soler. - Jerry Johnston