The holidays are upon us once again -- and that means music! What would the season be without traditional carols and fresh arrangements of favorite songs, as well as a sleighful of original wintertime tunes?
Every year witnesses a new crop of Christmas albums by artists of every stripe, representing all styles of music.This year's yuletide lineup includes some of the hottest selling artists on the charts.
Celine Dion and 'N Sync are a couple of the snow-melters this year. Then there's the much anticipated Mannheim Steamroller release, the big-city blues of Chuck Leavell and the progressive metal of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
As for Utah artists, releases by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the acoustic Lightwood Duo are but two of several, which include a collaboration by Sen. Orrin Hatch and LDS songstress Janice Kapp Perry.
The following are capsule reviews by Deseret News staff writers of many of this season's yuletide collections:
BABYFACE; "Christmas With Babyface" (Epic).
A funky version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" kicks this album off -- and turns out to be the most imaginative cut here. But is it a surprise that the master of soul harmonies has decided to put out a Christmas album? Other songs include "Winter Wonderland," "Silent Night," "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Winter Wonderland," just to name a few. Too bad he didn't release it a year ago. And it's too bad he wasn't able to get more guests, besides Take 6, on the album -- despite working with such artists as Eric Clapton, Boyz II Men and Whitney Houston in the past. Although he's still revered in soul-pop circles, the style favored by Babyface (Kenneth Edmonds) has become a little overbearing and monotonous. Still, for harmless carols and other songs, this album is a safe gift for the entire family -- especially parents. -- Scott Iwasaki
THE BEACH BOYS; "Ultimate Christmas" (Capitol).
Avid Beach Boys fans are familiar with the group's classic 1964 "Christmas Album," highlighted by such tracks as Santa's hip makeover on "Little Saint Nick" and a swinging "Frosty the Snowman." So what makes this latest version the "Ultimate"? Well, unknown to most of us, the Boys recorded several other holiday songs -- including a half-dozen in the mid-1970s, mostly over arrangements for non-Christmas tunes of their own. But here they are on a new 26-track holiday collection. Added to the complete "Christmas Album" are such previously unreleased songs as "Santa's Got An Airplane," giving the Jolly One yet another mode of delivery, and a Brian Wilson original, "Winter Symphony," which has quite a '70s-progressive atmosphere. Also among the selections are their a cappella "Auld Lang Syne," a couple of radio announcements and, in conclusion, a 1964 interview with Brian about the then-new album. Overall, a fun mix of holiday standards, Beach Boys harmonies and quirky novelties. -- Ray Boren
BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRA; "Holiday Pops" (RCA).
No one does it like the Boston Pops. And under Keith Lockhart, that tradition continues. Lockhart faced no little challenge: "To create an album embracing the great holiday traditions of the Boston Pops and at the same time expanding upon them." His goal, he says in the liner notes, was "to bring new energies and influences to our celebration while upholding the legacy of the great Pops recordings of the past. The combination of the old and the new, of tradition and renewal, is after all what makes this time of year so special for us all." With the combined talents of the orchestra and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, this album does just that, serving up renditions ranging from "Gloria," "Farandole" and "The Shepherd's Chorus" to "Sleigh Ride," "Christmas Time Is Here" and "Frosty All The Way." Definitely a keeper. -- Carma Wadley
SHIRLEY CAESAR; "Christmas With Shirley Caesar" (Myrrh Records).
Shirley Caesar is nothing if not exuberant. Her Christmas album is packed with energy from the first "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" to the last "O Christmas Tree." Her jazz/pop/gospel style gets the room rocking and the toes tapping on mostly traditional carols and songs such as "Little Drummer Boy," "Ave Maria," "What Child Is This?" and "We Three Kings." Also included are rousing renditions of the spiritual "What Are You Gonna Name Your Baby?" and "Giving and Sharing," which embodies Caesar's own philosophy of the season. Above all, she says, the true spirit of Christmas is "the spirit of love, sharing and thanksgiving"; and if she seems a little overly sentimental when she stops singing and starts talking on her final selection, it's easily forgiven. -- C.W.
THE CHRISTMAS JUG BAND; "Rhythm on the Roof" (Globe).
If you like your Christmas music on the raucous side -- a little irreverent with a some washtub, jaw harp and accordion -- this is the one for you. You might recognize "Winter Wonderland," even with its reggae rhythm; and "Silver Bells" is fairly standard. But with songs such as "Waiting for Santa Claus" and "Washboard Road" or "If I Don't Have a Chimney" or "Daddy's Drinkin' Up Our Christmas," this one might have you wondering if the band members haven't been dipping into the holiday moonshine a bit early. They are obviously having a lot of fun, and it is lively toe-tapping, if nontraditional, music. -- C.W.
SHAWN COLVIN; "Holiday Songs and Lullabies" (Columbia).
A couple of years ago when Shawn Colvin played at Kingsbury Hall, she told us a story of how her friend Lyle Lovett pleaded with her not to write a song if she had a child. Well, one child later, Colvin kept her promise. She didn't write a song, but she dedicated an album of traditional folk Christmas songs and lullabies to her little Caledonia. The only popular Christmas carol on the album is "Silent Night," and it's nice to hear Colvin's clear rendition of the tune. Other nice works include "In the Bleak Mid-Winter," "Christmas Time Is Here" and "Little Road to Bethlehem." If you're looking for a folk-rock Christmas, look elsewhere. This album is to be played with the lights down. -- S.I.
ARTURO DELMONI & FRIENDS; "Rejoice!" (John Marks Records).
"Dignified" is a good word to describe the music from this chamber group. "Stately," "reverent," "classy" are others. Delmoni switches from violin to viola, with other members of the string quartet playing violin, viola and cello. Guest artists on the harp and the organ are brought in effectively on a number of pieces, including Delmoni's transcription of Brusser's tender "Sleep of the Infant Jesus." Also featured are striking new string-quartet arrangements of several of John Rutter's choral pieces: "Candlelight Carol," "Christmas Lullaby" and "Angel's Carol." The harmony of the strings is showcased on other songs such as "Carol of the Bells," "The Christmas Rose," "Stille, Stille" and "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks." Recorded at New York's Riverside Church, the sound is lush and rich and yet intimate. -- C.W.
CELINE DION; "These Are Special Times" (Epic).
She can be sweetly seductive. She can be bluesy or a little sassy. She can be prayerful and reverent. No wonder she's riding at the top of the pop music world. Celine Dion is all this and more on her Christmas album, featuring selections also showcased on her network TV Christmas special of the same name. Traditional songs such as "O Holy Night," "Ave Maria" and "Adeste Fideles" combine with new introductions: "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day," "The Magic of Christmas Day," "Christmas Eve" and "I'm Your Angel." She even includes John Lennon/Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," and is joined by Italian classical sensation Andrea Bocelli for an English/Italian version of "The Prayer" and by her family for "Feliz Navidad" and "Les Cloches du Hameau." You've got to figure there's something for everyone. -- C.W.
THE GIBBONS FAMILY; "Let Us Adore Him" (Deseret Book).
When it came time to do a Christmas album, Utah's Gibbons Family wanted theirs to be one of "worshipful adoration" that would be a "tranquil listening experience as well as a musical remembrance that God loves us all." In that they succeed beautifully. One of the very talented local singing families, the Gibbonses have chosen songs that not only showcase their voices but also use arrangements that exhibit the skills of other local musicians such as Kurt Bestor, Brett Raymond, Sam Cardon and Mack Wilberg. The tone is set by a masterful "Messiah Medley" featuring the music of Handel. Also included are John Rutter's beautiful "Candlelight Carol" and soft and lyrical versions of the "Star Carol" and "Breath of Heaven." Two of the songs were written by Barry Gibbons: the title track, "Let Us Adore Him," and "Soft and Warm," which effectively lives up to its name. Traditional carols include "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful," "Away In A Manger" and "Carol of the Bells." For a soft and reverent mood, this one's hard to beat. -- C.W.
ORRIN HATCH AND JANICE KAPP PERRY; "Come to the Manger" (Shadow Mountain).
If Orrin Hatch ever gets tired of his day job (as a U.S. senator), he can likely find a career as a songwriter. Nine of the 16 cuts on this album are his original works. Janice Kapp Perry supplies the music, the arrangements are by Greg Hansen and the performances are by a local choir and various soloists. The results are masterful. The tone ranges from the majestic "Alleluia! Alleluia!" and "King of Kings" to the softly sweet "Come To The Manger" to the Southern gospelesque "Christ Was Able" and the balladlike "Christmas Hug." The mood is always one of love and respect -- both for the season and the Son of God, whose birth is celebrated. And the message that "Wise Men Seek Him Still" is one that we can all take to heart. -- C.W.
ETTA JAMES; "12 Songs of Christmas" (Private Music).
Rolling Stone calls Etta James "a singer of unprecedented power and appeal." She's also known as "the ultimate jazz diva." So, if it's a jazzy Christmas you're looking for, this is where to find it. Her 12 songs include traditionals such as "Winter Wonderland," "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," "Joy to the World" and "O Holy Night." But, of course, there's nothing traditional in the arrangements. Not from the woman who can turn "Earth" into a six-syllable word and can stretch out phrase after phrase with her smoky, caressing voice. Oh yeah, there's plenty of saxophone and trumpet, too. -- C.W.
JUNG; "The Gift" (Atlantic).
The harp captures Christmas melodies well, and Korean harpist Jung Kwak shows it at its best on this collection of holiday favorites and contemporary songs. She shows the fun of the "March of the Toys" and the airy beauty of "Carol of the Bells" and "What Child Is This?" She is joined by vocalists Sumi Jo on soft versions of "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night" and by Linda Eder for new seasonal songs "The Gift" and "Christmas Stays The Same." This is the season, Eder sings, "When the gift is the music that comes from the heart. . . . When the gift is the music, words will find wings, bearing the music back to the heart that sings." It seems to sum up the feeling of Jung's album very well. -- C.W.
DEAN KAELIN, "The King is Born" (Top of the World).
Dean Kaelin retells the nativity story through the eyes and ideas of those involved in it in this beautiful Christmas cantata. With a choir of angelic observers to act as narrator, we hear from Mary, learning she is to be the mother of Christ, and from Joseph, who is filled with doubts but comes to acceptance. We hear from the innkeeper who must turn the couple away, from the shepherd who travels to the manger and from the Wise Men who see the new star. Then the baby is born, and the angelic choir -- and all the rest -- rejoice. The music and the lyrics personalize the age-old story in a beautiful, meaningful way. And at just over 30 minutes, this would be a nice addition to a family program on Christmas Eve. -- C.W.
KICKIN' KAZOOS; "Kazoo Christmas" (CMH Records).
This one's for kids of all ages -- including grown ones. The Kickin' Kazoos play renditions of all your favorite Christmas carols, including "Deck the Halls," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night." And since they've been tweaked with bluegrass, jazz, surf and other diverse styles, the music is fresh. Then when the kazoos kick in, all you can do is laugh. But wait: The album also comes with its own kazoo so you can "hum" along, too! -- S.I.
LIGHTWOOD DUO; "Christmas" (Covenant).
Each season, amid Christmas albums from crooners and choirs, somebody takes a flier on something unique. Give that honor this year to the Lightwood Duo. With a clarinet (Eric Nielson) and guitar (Mike Christiansen), they offer a fresh look at some classic chestnuts -- "Let It Snow," "Winter Wonderland" and "Sleigh Ride" among them. Older listeners will hear Benny Goodman when they put this CD on. Younger listeners will hear Kenny G pumped through Lawrence Welk. But at heart the album is fusion jazz crossed with old-time dance music. "Jingle Samba" swings, "Silent Night" sings and the "Nutcracker" medley is as good as you'll hear. Labels don't fit, but try this: toe-tapping inspirational music -- Jerry Johnston
CHUCK LEAVELL; "What's in That Bag?" (Capricorn).
The man who plays keyboards for the Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones, Black Crowes and his own band, Sea Level, has gone holiday! And what a refreshing splash this is. Bluesy, rambunctious and full of half-note piano runs, this is a fun album. Also appealing is the fact that the traditional carols have been given a shot of infectious grooves. Leavell also plays the acoustic guitar on a reverent, fireplace-mantel version of "Away In a Manger." The album closes on a quiet, gospelesque note -- "O Holy Night." -- S.I.
LORI LINE; "Holiday Collection" (Lori Line Music).
One of the hottest musicians in the so-called "new age" genre, Lori Line really should be considered more a contemporary instrumentalist, for her music isn't like Yanni's. It's more organic, but still a lot of fun. Instead of releasing a new Christmas album, Line has packaged her three "Sharing the Season" albums in a gift-box set. It includes 45 carols, from "I Saw Three Ships," "The First Noel" and "The Holly and the Ivy" to "The Coventry Carol," "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" and "Gesu Bambino." The set contains more than three hours of holiday music. And they are, for the most part, heartfelt renditions of those favorites. -- S.I.
KENNY LOGGINS; "December" (Columbia).
Kenny Loggins has a knack for pulling the strings of nostalgia. "Return to Pooh Corner" takes the cake -- and he decided to make a Christmas album using that formula. "December" is a mixed bag. How many times can "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)" be remade? The same goes for "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "White Christmas." However, Loggins' new songs -- "Angels In the Snow" and "December" -- are great additions to the season, though his reverent rendition of "The Coventry Carol" is a track to be played over and over. -- S.I.
LOVEMONGERS; "Here Is Christmas" (B2 Music).
Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson -- best known for their hit-making band, Heart -- are also the heart of Lovemongers. As the Lovemongers, the Wilsons have decided it's about time to pay tribute to the Christmas season. "Here Is Christmas" is a nice collection of songs featuring Ann's trademark vocals. However, don't look for some hard-rocking variations, a la Heart. Instead, like Heart's acoustic album, "The Road Home," these songs are reverent and holidayesque -- as they should be. "Oh, Holy Night!" "Bring a Torch," 'Christmas Waits" and "The Last Noel" -- a twist on "The First Noel" -- are among the album's highlights. -- S.I.
MARTINA McBRIDE; "White Christmas" (RCA).
When country artist Martina McBride started working on a Christmas album, she knew exactly the kind she wanted to make: "Classic. Nostalgic. The kind of album you put on year after year -- to trim the tree, to wrap presents. The kind of album that inspires memories, old and new." And that's pretty much what she got. From her softly seductive "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to "The Christmas Song" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas," the message is one of tradition. Carols and hymns such as "O Holy Night," "Away in a Manger" and "What Child Is This?" create a feeling of timelessness. But that doesn't mean ordinary. McBride gives them all a pleasing depth and richness that lends itself to repeat listening, whether you favor country music or not. -- C.W.
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER; "The Christmas Angel" and "My Little Christmas Tree" (American Gramaphone).
Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller -- clever performers of traditional Christmas music with a modern twist -- have not come out with yet another playful set of tunes to get us in the holiday spirit. Instead, both of these albums use tracks from earlier collections, like "A Mannheim Steamroller Christmas" and "Christmas in the Aire," as soundtracks to stories. "The Christmas Angel," with narration by Davis and Olivia Newton-John, is a somewhat tangled tale about the theft of a village's Christmas tree angel by an evil creature and a young mother's quest to get it back. The story and the music will be featured in a TV special at 1 p.m. Dec. 19 on NBC; maybe the visuals will help. "My Little Christmas Tree" has no spoken roles; instead, the tracks (and a few sound effects) let parents read eight Christmas-oriented stories to the kiddies. Scenes in a pop-up book illustrate each of the short stories, all of them told from a child's point of view. Davis, co-writer Michael O'Rourke and illustrator Nan Brooks have created a real gem with "My Little Christmas Tree." -- R.B.
MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR AND THE CANADIAN BRASS, "A Christmas Gloria" (BWE).
From the first "Joy to the World" to the last "Alleluiah," this aptly titled album is filled with the majesty and glory of Christmas. Included are a number of traditional carols and medleys of carols. There's the three-part "Gloria," written by John Rutter, a reverent and beautiful Christmas offering. The chimes of London's Big Ben introduce the Canadian Brass' "Ding, Dong Merrily on High." The Brass also provides a festive "Little Fantasy on 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' " and join organist Richard Elliott for the stately "Rejoice, Exult" from Bach's "Christmas Oratorio." First presented as a concert in 1997 and taped for a PBS special to be seen this season, this is an album that showcases both the choir and the quintet in powerful music of the season. -- C.W.
'N SYNC; "Home For Christmas" (RCA).
Albums like this come along, notes singer JC, because of "the joy that music spreads at this time of year. The birth of Christ has created a fellowship among all types of people." And so this band, which is more at home playing for screaming teenagers, turns its attention to an album that mixes a few traditional songs and carols -- "The Christmas Song," "The First Noel," "O Holy Night" -- with a selection of new songs, ranging from a lively "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" to sentimental love songs such as "Under My Tree" and "All I Want Is You This Christmas" or "I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas (until I looked in your eyes)." The results will surely please all those 13-year-olds out there -- and probably their parents, too. -- C.W.
SPICE MICE; "Christmas" (CMH).
They're no Spice Girls. They're no Chipmunks, either. These talented little critters have much more range and a broader repertoire than their forest cousins. They slip seamlessly from surfer rock to heavy metal to country, bluegrass and classical guitar as they mousify favorite Christmas songs. They deck the halls with boughs of cheeses and strum along to the "Little Drummer Mice." "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemice," they sing. And what do mice get on the 12 days of Christmas? "Five new babies, four little fishes, three dirty dishes, two broken mousetraps and an old piece of mildewy cheese." What more could you want? They may not be Spice Girls, but they are kind of cute. -- C.W.
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS; "Christmas Caravan" (Mammoth).
The Squirrel Nut Zippers have decided to take the band's lounge sound into the holidays. And it works. In fact, all of the songs, with the exception of the swinging romp of "Sleigh Ride" and a scratchy porcelain version of "Hanging Up My Stockings," are originals. Titles like "Winter Weather," "A Johnny Ace Christmas" and "Hot Christmas" are the essence of this spunky album. And by the time "Hanging Up My Stockings" moseys out of the speakers, the listener will drift back to the days when Christmas was joyful, snowy white -- and non-commercial. -- S.I.
STOVER AND WELLS; "A Virtuoso Christmas" (K-Tel).
The idea for this Christmas project started back when John Stover and Jeff Wells were roommates at the San Francisco Conservatory before they both set off on successful careers as classical guitarists. The CD features original arrangements of traditional holiday songs such as "Greensleeves," selections from the "Nutcracker," "Little Drummer Boy," "Holly and the Ivy" and "Good King Wenceslas." The sound is classical and traditional, but at the same time fresh and appealing. -- C.W.
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA; "The Christmas Attic" (Atlantic/Lava).
With the success of the 1996 Christmas rock opera "Christmas Eve and Other Stories," the Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- masterminded by Savatage founder Paul O'Neill -- has recorded another Christmas opera. "The Christmas Attic" is the story of a guardian angel who answers a child's prayer hoping that the spirit of Christmas isn't dead. The album is progressive rock at its shiniest, but for an album with this type of message, the heavy-duty production is necessary. Extended jams of such carols as "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" and a soothing version of Pachelbel's "Canon" (renamed "Christmas Canon" and featuring the St. Bartholomew's Church Choristers) are not pretentious. As in many operas, the musical narrations set the listener up for the next scene. "The Christmas Attic" turns out to be heartwarming and grand. -- S.I.
VINCE VANCE & THE VALIANTS; "All I Want for Christmas is You" (Valian Records).
Well, thank goodness these guys have stepped away from political rants of their past ("Bomb Iran"). Instead, Vince and the boys have decided to take on Christmas. And, true to their vintage pop style, the band has pulled out some zesty remakes. These include "All I Want for Christmas Is You," "Merry Christmas to You" and even "Winter Wonderland," which brings to mind images of the Andrews Sisters. And then there's the riotous "I Wanna Be a Christmas Tree," which gives heavy nod to Alvin & the Chipmunks. -- S.I.
WARNER WESTERN INSTRUMENTS; "The Greatest Christmas Songs Ever" (Warner).
Some might argue as to whether these are, in fact, the greatest Christmas songs ever, but no one can dispute the fact that they have a definite Western flavor. If you like your holiday music full of guitar and fiddle, laced with harmonica and steel pedals, you'll find it here. Part of a series of "new generation" Western records that have "revitalized and repopularized the tradition of cowboy music," this is an album of instrumental renderings that the likes of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry would surely approve. Christmas favorites receiving this treatment include "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Silver Bells," "White Christmas" "Away In The Manger" and "Silent Night." -- C.W.
TAMMY WYNETTE; "Christmas With Tammy Wynette" (Epic).
Tammy Wynette was called "the first lady of country music," and her death earlier this year shocked the country music world. But that's undoubtedly the reason behind the re-release of this Christmas album, first recorded in 1970. This is traditional country all the way, full of steel guitar and pathos, on such songs as "Blue Christmas," "(Merry Christmas) We Must Be Having One" and "Let's Put Christ Back in Christmas." Traditional carols such as "Silent Night," "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Joy to the World" are also included. Wynette's voice is rich and strong, and it's easy to see why she gained the accolades she did. -- C.W.
KELLY YOST; "Still, Still, Still" (Chanel Productions).
Pianist Kelly Yost wanted her album of Christmas songs to be music "for the season's quiet moments, providing an oasis of calm amid the clamor." This is music, says the Idaho musician, "for this time of gathering inward, this time of reflection and renewal." Her soft interpretations capture just that mood. With the exception of the unusual "Sinhalese Carol," which comes from Sri Lanka, the music is all familiar, including such hymns and carols as "The First Noel," "What Child Is This?" "O Holy Night," "Gesu Bambino" and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." -- C.W.