'Tis the season for Christmas trees, holly, candy, cookies and other temptations and music. Music with fa-la-las, ho-ho-hos and snow, snow, snow. This week, we take a look at the fresh crop of holiday albums coming to a store near you.
“ReJoyce The Christmas Album,” Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson offers a variety of holiday treats that will appeal to both her young fan base and the older set on “ReJoyce: The Christmas Album.”
She wisely chose to anchor “ReJoyce” (named for her late grandmother) with classics like “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), “O Holy Night” and “What Child is This.” She delivers a simply beautiful rendition of “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song),” and she performs “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” with a gospel choir.
On the flip side, Simpson puts her own stamp on standards like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow,” giving both a retro-’50s jazzy treatment. She also updates “The Little Drummer Boy,” with sister Ashlee. The throwback vibe continues on the album’s first single “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with husband Nick Lachey and the fun “It’s Christmas Time Again.” And “What Christmas Means to Me” is bright and catchy.
The only drawback to the album is that it’s poorly organized. Tracks jump from the most serious of religious carols to quick, catchy tunes without giving listeners much time to change gears.— Caryn Rousseau
“Chris Isaak Christmas,” Chris Isaak
Ripping off wild guitar riffs in between the smoothest of smooth vocals has always been Chris Isaak’s claim to fame, and it’s charming to hear him pull it off again on “Chris Isaak Christmas” without sounding redundant or unnecessary.
Sure, Isaak could sing the phonebook and make it sound sweet. But hearing him put his signature croon on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” just feels perfect.
He hits all the right notes on “The Christmas Song” too, with light and jazzy guitar chords melting into the background.
His backing band, Silvertone, is in top form as usual, the product of a lot of concert dates and heaps of talent. With Isaak’s pipes and Silvertone’s thoughtful approach to each song, “Chris Isaak Christmas” makes for great listening with a holiday toddy in hand.
Or cocoa for the kids, of course.— Ron E. Harris
“Everything You Want For Christmas,” Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Swing music specialists Big Bad Voodoo Daddy have chipped in for the holidays with “Everything You Want For Christmas,” 10 soulless songs meant to be a kitschy yuletide offering, but missing the mark.
Let’s be honest. These guys had their day, gimmick albums aside. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s high-water mark came when everyone in Gap khaki’s took swing dance lessons after overdosing on the movie “Swingers.” Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was in the movie, on the soundtrack and everywhere else at the time.
That time is gone. “Everything You Want For Christmas” is simply their latest step in a long descent from quality music.
The BBVD guitar riffs aren’t as fast as they used to be, and the piano playing sounds like hokey honky-tonk like “Mr. Heatmiser” and “Christmastime in Tinsel Town.”
But primarily to blame is lead singer and lead hep-cat, Scotty Morris. His vocals sound bland, and without the same growl and edge they once had. On “Last Night (I Went Out With Santa Claus),” Morris in unconvincing in his song about hitting the town bars with Ole St. Nick.
Sorry to be the grinch, but this is musical coal for the Christmas stocking.— Ron Harris
“Barenaked for the Holidays,” Barenaked Ladies
The fine “ladies” from Canada really need no introduction. The all-male quintet’s blend of quirky lyrics coupled with jangly, danceable music has made them more than a cult favorite nearly worldwide.
With a carefree, play-it-as-it-goes attitude, it was only a matter of time before they cut a holiday-oriented LP. But, unlike other efforts by other bigger names, “Barenaked for the Holidays” isn’t just a bunch of cast-off singles and retreads of standards aimed at cashing in on the festive spirit (and open pocketbooks) of the holidays.
Indeed, this 20-song, nearly 47-minute album is the personification of Barenaked Ladies: fun, irreverent and just what you need to hear, whether sitting around the Christmas tree, lighting the Menorah or grumbling about the throngs of crowds at the department store.
There’s a nice blend of holiday favorites on here — “I Saw Three Ships” and “O Holy Night” and “I Have a Little Dreidel” — but the true gems are the originals. “Elf’s Lament,” is a laugh- aloud look at what it’s like for Santa’s elves who have to endure the hustle of meeting millions of Christmas wishes. It sure isn’t nice for the elf, but it’s naughty fun to have a laugh at his expense.
Other originals include “Christmas Pics,” a jazz-inflected look back at family traditions and photo snapshots of the holidays. Throw in a cover of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and the holiday is complete.
There’s an energy all through BNL’s holiday album, and it’s infectious, just like good Christmas candy.— Matt Moore
“What a Wonderful World,” LeAnn RimesIn her first Christmas album, LeAnn Rimes offers 10 songs, most of them familiar, and all but one a Christmas song.
That lone exception is “What a Wonderful World” — a delightful sentiment indeed, but no holly, no presents, no tinsel, not even snow! Nevertheless, it’s one of the album’s better cuts, mainly because Rimes handles the lyric with grace and humility.
On some other tracks, however, Rimes reaches beyond her pleasant voice and needlessly creates a “style,” with excessive warbling where simpler straightforward singing might better serve her capable voice and listeners’ ears.
“O Holy Night” is such an example: On the whole, Rimes’ version of this beautiful traditional carol is fine, aided by an inspiring choir and a guitar break. But here and there the singer tries too hard to “sell” the song with vocal acrobatics when it needs no such help.
The set begins with Brenda Lee’s 1958 classic, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” which works well for Rimes’ sound, as does another pop tune, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
“A Different Kind of Christmas” is one of three cuts co-written by Rimes. Its post-Sept. 11 theme is a bit of a downer (“It’s a different kind of Christmas in a different kind of world, even though it looks the same, everything has changed”) but the melody is pleasant.
Rimes’ other co-creations are the bluesy “Just Love Me” and a ballad called “Miss You Like Christmas.”
Among the familiar holiday sounds: “White Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and perhaps the all-time Christmas “chestnut,” “The Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ....”
Its mix of surefire classics and some appealing less-familiar songs will help this album find its audience. And Rimes has a pleasant voice, especially when she isn’t trying to do too much with it.— Ron Berthel
Mannheim Steamroller, “Christmas Celebration” It isn’t Christmas until Mannheim Steamroller rolls out its rhythmic yuletide arrangements.
So let the holiday season begin — with the release of Mannheim Steamroller’s “Christmas Celebration,” a compilation of previous recordings and a few new ones. The album marks the 20th anniversary of the first Christmas album by the band lead by Chip Davis.
“Christmas Celebration” features songs from four albums and includes such traditional fare as “Deck the Halls,” “Hallelujah” and “Fum, Fum, Fum.” But it is the album’s first song “Celebration” — a new song — that is the surprise. With its horn-drenched lead in and its heavy synthesizers, the song is a reminder why Mannheim Steamroller continues to own the holiday season.
Also included on the album is a previously unreleased version of “Traditions of Christmas,” which features vocals by LynnDee Mueller and the Cambridge Singers.
So heat up the cider, stoke the fireplace, turn on the Christmas lights and let the holiday season begin — with the strains of Mannheim Steamroller.—Chelsea J. Carter
“Silver & Gold,” Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams second Christmas disc, “Silver & Gold,” is a good way to spend time during the holidays. Williams’ smooth voice varies from soft and sweet, to lively and upbeat, delivering yuletide glow in an assortment of original compositions and holiday standards.
The title track, “Silver & Gold” offers an air of mellow sentimentality with her signature soulful voice. In contrast, the next song, “Joy to the World” featuring Brian McKnight, is a fresh approach both vocally and musically, with the addition of a backup choir. The tempo, a bit faster than normal, also helps liven things up.
“Silent Night,” featuring Cormac Breatnach and Martin Dunlea, has a bit of Celtic flavor musically, and with sleigh bells ringing in the background, her jaunty remake of The Carpenter’s “Winter Weather” is inviting.
Though it hardly sounds like a traditional lullaby, “December Lullaby,” where she recounts the birth of Jesus, is a catchy R&B tune that has some soft moments. Another strong track is the jazzy themed, “Christmas Is.”
Overall, this collection is a nice twist from the norm.— Jason Atkins
“Christmas Time Is Here,” Dianne Reeves
On her first-ever holiday CD, Dianne Reeves displays the virtuosity that has helped her garner an unprecedented three straight Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album. The result is a holiday CD that is innovative yet respectful of the Christmas tradition, with Reeves putting her own jazzy stamp on 11 seasonal tunes.
On the opening track, Reeves’ rich voice builds in dynamic intensity as she sings “Little Drummer Boy” to the sparse accompaniment of a syncopated reggae-jazz beat laid down by drummer Gregory Hutchinson, bassist Reuben Rogers and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. Reeves turns “Carol of the Bells” into a rapid tempo swinger with vibraphonist Joe Locke and saxophonist Steve Wilson heating things up with their solos. Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here” (from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”) is a more intimate ballad with Reeves joined by her longtime trio of Hutchinson, Rogers and pianist Peter Martin.
Reeves’ love affair with Brazilian music is reflected in the soothing bossa nova version of “This Time of the Year” and the more upbeat “Christmas Waltz” with its samba-reggae groove, both tunes arranged by and featuring Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo. The more familiar “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” also has been freshened up with a Brazilian beat as Reeves gives a wide-ranging performance, stretching the notes and changing the dynamics. The lovely “Christ Child’s Lullaby” — the least jazzy tune on the CD — finds Reeves backed by guitarist Lubambo and the Sirius String Quartet.
Reeves is the complete jazz singer. She effortlessly scats her way through a briskly swinging “Let It Snow,” showcasing her rhythmic and improvisational agility. And on Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts),” she is the masterful storyteller using her voice and crystalline diction to color and enhance the lyrics of the slow tempo romantic ballad.
Reeves has shaped these holiday tunes to fit her own musical tastes, but her performances are always accessible. It’s a Christmas CD that should keep on giving a warm glow for seasons to come.— Charles J. Gans
“The Lost Christmas Eve,” Trans-Siberian OrchestraMuch like a holiday tradition, “The Lost Christmas Eve” isn’t the first time the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, an amorphous mishmash of kooky musicians, have created off-the-wall Christmas fare, but it’s probably the last.
“Lost Christmas Eve” is the third CD in a melodramatic trilogy (think: “Star Wars” meets “Miracle on 34th Street”) eight years in the making about an angel or a snowflake returning to earth on Christmas Eve or something like that. The narrative of this rock opera isn’t entirely clear, but it is certain the mostly instrumental 23-track disc is ambitious. The music is strong and inspiring like good Christmas music should be, built on zesty arrangements and backed by the likes of a children’s chorus and soaring guitar solos.
Like a holiday office party, there’s a lull in the middle of “Lost Christmas Eve” where you’re not quite sure if you should leave or stick around to see what happens. The mighty voyage begins with the Broadway-like “Christmas Dreams,” wrapped in multiple guitar riffs and Steve Perry-ish vocals, and “Wizards in Winter,” a snowy instrumental track reeking of “Nutcracker” inspiration.
“Lost Christmas Eve” picks up again with “Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness),” which combines classical piano playing with guitar distortion, and a moody interpretation of “O’ Come All Ye Faithful.” Despite many breaks in the action, even the harshest of grinches will find fun and originality in “Lost Christmas Eve.”— Derrik J. Lang
“My Favorite Time of the Year,” Dionne Warwick
Christmas albums are so common they almost seem like a requirement for any artist. So it’s a bit surprising that Dionne Warwick, who has been around for decades, is just now taking a crack at yuletide classics.
The jazzy “My Favorite Time of the Year,” finds Warwick still in fine voice, and recalls her sound during the 80s, the “That’s What Friends Are For” era.
Gladys Knight joins Warwick for a stirring version of “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas.” Also strong is “I Believe in Christmas,” aided by BeBe Winans’s soulful tenor. Jazz sax player Dave Koz lays melodies on few tracks to give the album a some hint of contemporary life.
But a few of the traditional Christmas tracks aren’t as catchy as the collaborations, and much of the album falls flat. Though “My Favorite Time ...” might please hardcore Warwick fans, that will probably be about it.— Chris Jones
“Chrismukkah: Music from the OC,” Various ArtistsThe OC’s creators have done a fantastic job at honing in on the extremely profitable teenage market with the release of the compilation “Chrismukkah: Music from the OC.” The album features various popular artists as well as several alluring yet unfamiliar ones. The opening track by Danish imports The Ravonettes is an unrecognizable modern rendition of “The Christmas Song.” Low’s original “Just like Christmas,” off their 1999 Christmas album is a delicate pop song with the angelic vocals of Mimi Parker and sleigh bells echoing in the background. Rooney performs “Merry X-mas Everybody” with their characteristic California style that complements the drama’s vibe flawlessly. Eels’s “Christmas is going to the Dogs” could possible be 2004’s answer to the parody song “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” made famous by Elmo & Pasty in 1984.
But Ben Kweller’s interpretation of “Rock of Ages,” is, in a word, painful — the weak vocals do not do justice to the holiday classic and would have been better left untouched from the Johnny Cash version.
The album is short and sweet, running at just under 30 minutes, and makes a perfect gift for any “OC” enthusiast.— Carrie Tolles
“Maybe This Christmas Tree,” Various ArtistsChristmas singles are like the stocking stuffers. They’re small, not of much value, but the sentimentality can be intense.
“Maybe This Christmas Tree” is a bit of all three. The third installment in the “Maybe This Christmas” series by Nettwerk America, the 12-track, nearly 45-minute CD features an esoteric mix of artists, including The Polyphonic Spree, Death Cab for Cutie and Danish mavericks the Raveonettes, all offering up one Christmas-related song.
Some, like the Spree, went with well-known pop classics, covering John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” while others like Lisa Loeb went the traditional route, offering a lively but uninspiring “Jingle Bells.”
There are also Christmas songs more familiar to thirtysomethings, such as Ivy, doing “Christmas Time Is Here,” recognizable from the old animated Charlie Brown holiday special.
The disc is a nice respite from classic carols, and has some gems on it, including the Raveonettes’ original “The Christmas Song,” but it’s not the main course for a musical feast.
It does, however, make a nice dessert.— Matt Moore
“The Soulful Sounds of Christmas,” Various ArtistsChristmas is much more than the religious celebration. It’s tree-trimming with family. Baking in the kitchen with mom and the aunts. Wrapping up gifts after the kids are in bed. For those moments when Christmas is warming the house with holiday spirit, there is cheerful collection of recent nostalgia in “The Soulful Sounds of Christmas.”
Who knew Run-DMC’s 1987 “Christmas in Hollis” would hold up so well? But in today’s age of aggressively postured rap, these pioneers indeed seem fresh. Other ’80s flashbacks from New Edition and Whitney Houston work as well.
There are lighthearted songs, like Babyface’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and TLC’s “Sleigh Ride,” as well as the spiritually weighty. Yolanda Adams offers a powerful “O Holy Night,” Take 6’s characteristically wondrous voices anoint to “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,” and Kirk Franklin and the Family raise the roof with their gospel-inflected “Behold the Lamb.”
The album is a well-chosen compilation that hits the right notes of mirth, merriness and holiday magic.— Michelle Morgante
“Christmas, Love and You,” Will DowningWoe be to those who have no one to cuddle with while listening to this sumptuous Christmas offering from one of the smoothest voices recording today.
Like a generous Santa making his rounds, Will Downing delivers a sleighload of classics and originals well suited for those moments of firelight and hot chocolate. Smoothly jazzy at times, Downing also gives lightness to songs like the “The First Noel,” or “The Little Drummer Boy” which breaks into a Jamaican-styled rap thanks to Jabba. Fans of the annually televised Charlie Brown Christmas special will appreciate Downing’s thoughtful “Christmas Time Is Here.” And traditionalists will be warmed by his “White Christmas” and the ultimate modern holiday classic “The Christmas Song,” which Downing says filled his childhood home every year.
This is the perfect soundtrack to share with a special someone, when the candles are flickering in the quiet final moments of Christmas Eve.— Michelle Morgante
“Christmas With The Kranks Soundtrack,” Various Artists
Steven Van Zandt of Springsteen/“Sopranos” fame gets into the holiday mood on this eclectic movie soundtrack that blends old classics (Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” and The Ramones’ “Merry Christmas”) with some new versions of Christmas nuggets re-done by more contemporary bands.
He arranged and produced The Charms doing “Frosty The Snowman,” Davie Allan & The Arrows interpretation of “Feliz Navidad,” and The Chesterfield Kings’ “Hey Santa Claus,” among others.
But the most interesting of the 12 tracks here is Indian popster Tina Sugandh’s cover of “White Christmas,” with buzzing sitars: It gives one of the world’s most listened-to songs a vibe unlike anything you’ve heard before. The Brian Setzer Orchestra also kicks nicely on a rockabilly/big band version of “The Nutcracker Suite.”
It’s not the best but certainly not the worst holiday compilation out there.— Wayne Parry
“Reggae Pulse 4 Christmas Songs,” Various ArtistsNot everyone celebrates Christmas with snowflakes and sleds. For those whose geography never matched the icy images conjured up by Madison Avenue, the tropical rhythms of this reggae collection of traditional songs is a welcome serving of holiday cheer.
Sometimes it’s hard to understand the point of some of the cuts, which are reggae but otherwise are uninspired. But there are several that work: Culture’s laid-back “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is fun and Holt’s syncopated stylings catch the bright mood of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
The reggae fluctuations and steel drums work best on Freddie McGregor’s “Feliz Navidad.” But despite the production honors of Sly & Robbie, it’s hard to find any reggae sensibility in The Tamlins’ “Last Christmas.” Thank goodness for Yellowman, who gets a funky vibe on “We Wish You a Merry (Reggae) Christmas” and Dean Fraser for his instrumental “Frosty,” which wraps up the collection in a groovy glow.— Michelle Morgante
Afroman “Jobe Bells”
Can anyone be totally immune to the spirit of Christmas while trying to make a Christmas album? Well, apparently if one is sufficiently high and drunk.
Afroman and his buddies waste nearly 30 minutes of disc space trashing Christmas classics with twisted lyrics unfit for any family gathering, perhaps even at the Osbourne house.
Surely someone somewhere could reinterpret the classics into sly, clever tales from the world inhabited by the likes of Afroman. But instead, “Silent Night” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” become dumb yarns about getting locked up by the police and other mayhem. “Jingle Bells” is laced with offensive put-downs of women, and it doesn’t take much imagination to picture what the crew does with the original “Deck the Halls,” called here “Deck My Balls.”
Given that, it’s surprising the crew does pull off some musical highlights — unsurprisingly the three instrumentals where the juvenile lyrical antics are silenced: “Palmbells,” “Nutscracker,” and the “12 Js of X-Mas.”
Otherwise, it’s hard to wonder why anyone would bother with this album, other than to blast it from some smoke-filled back bedroom in hopes of scaring off the rest of the family during the holiday dinner.—Michelle Morgante, AP Writer