Once again it's the time of year when Santa regales us with a sleighful of seasonal music, fresh from the North Pole workshops of multinational conglomerates. Let's unwrap a few dozen and see what they sound like.
Oh, Santa, you shouldn't have! (In some cases, you really shouldn't have.)
(Julia Ewan -- The Washington Post)
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As Seen on TV
Clay Aiken, "Merry Christmas With Love." With his wholesome choirboy looks and angelic tenor, Aiken is tailor-made for this kind of thing. Phil Ramone's unobtrusive production gently frames Aiken's soaring vocals on standards like "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night," lets him sway gently on "Sleigh Ride" and smoothly entreat everyone to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The runner-up on Season 2 of "American Idol" even manages to redeem the bombastic "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day," co-written by Celine Dion. In its first week of release, "Merry Christmas With Love" sold 270,000 copies, the biggest debut for a holiday album in the SoundScan era.
William Hung, "Hung for the Holidays." Bad joke redux: This one-track off-key novelty pony, banished from "Idol," makes another awful record, mercifully only 14 minutes long -- unless you count the hidden bonus track version of Queen's "We Are the Champions." Hanging's too good for this one.
George Huff, "My Christmas EP!" Voted off halfway through Season 3 of "American Idol," the likable Huff has a classic old-soul voice that gets precious little display in this tepid five-track collection, redeemed only by the inspired spiritual "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
"Ultimate Christmas 2." This is an all-star, multi-genre compilation that includes year-old tracks from first- and second-season "Idol" winners Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard, the latter in a charming duet with fellow contestant Tamyra Gray. Also on board: pop rivals Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Probably the only album on which you'll find both Barry Manilow and R. Kelly.
"Christmas in the FishBowl: Performed by the Reality TV Singers." It's come to this: Fishbowl.com, a reality TV gossip site, has brought together "American Idol" losers Nikki McKibbin, J.D. Adams and Brad Estrin, "Survivor's" Jenna Lewis, "Real World's" Lori Trespicio and Alton Williams, "Average Joe's" Dennis Luciani and "Paradise Hotel's" Toni Ferrari. As "Jingle Bells" suggests, you'll be "laughing all the way" listening to this, particularly "The 12 Minutes of Fame," a spoof of "The 12 Days of Christmas," and several other parodies that trade on these folks' unfortunate fates.
Jessica Simpson, "ReJoyce: The Christmas Album." Simpson has a big voice but doesn't know how to use it, opting for overly busy, overblown arrangements or saccharine string settings. Besides vocal showboating on overexposed standards, there's the obligatory duet with not-so-newlywed hubby Nick Lachey (an underheated "Baby It's Cold Outside") and a "Little Drummer Boy" duet with her sister, world-famous lip-syncer Ashlee Simpson. You've got to give it to Jessica for family loyalty: The "Joyce" of the title is her grandma.
Return of the Rat Pack
Frank Sinatra, "The Christmas Collection." Not to be confused with the similarly titled Columbia-era collection, this draws from Sinatra's holiday albums for Reprise in the '60s and '70s, capped by one of his final recordings, from 1991. Included are several spry duets with Bing Crosby (two of them previously unreleased), and three tracks with progeny Nancy, Tina and Frank Jr. from 1969.
Dean Martin, "Christmas With Dino." Seven tracks from 1959's "A Winter Romance" and nine from 1966's "Dean Martin Christmas Collection," plus a 1953 single, "The Christmas Blues," in which Dino espouses sympathy for another red-nosed character. Three songs, including the jovial "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!," appeared on both albums; here they serve to contrast the styles of big-band arrangers Gus Levene in the '50s and Bill Justis in the '60s.
Sammy Davis Jr. never recorded a holiday album, but three of his takes on seasonal standards are included on "Christmas With the Rat Pack." With a new cover and one new song since its initial 2002 release, the 21-track set is dominated by Sinatra and Martin. Oddly, there's a lot of overlap with "Christmas With Dino," but almost none with the Sinatra album; also, there's no Rat Pack trio recordings and only two Sinatra-Martin duets. For a bunch of troublemakers, this collection is surprisingly reverent. Maybe they were waiting for New Year's Eve.
All the Other Stuff
Trans-Siberian Orchestra,
"The Lost Christmas Eve." The Christmas juggernaut launched by producer-composer-lyricist Paul O'Neill continues with the last part of a holiday trilogy begun in 1996 with "Christmas Eve and Other Stories." That album's epic track, "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24," inspired by the true story of a cellist who refused to be intimidated by the gunfire in his home town, has become one of radio's most requested songs at this time of the year. The new album, featuring O'Neill's grandiose mix of rock, classical, Broadway, pop and R&B, is about a young angel ordered by God to find the spirit of Jesus on Earth before Christmas Eve is over, which makes for a poignant New York City-based tale of loss, redemption and the universality of everyday compassion. TSO has morphed into two touring groups to accommodate demand during the holiday season: Among 80 concerts this year are shows Tuesday at Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena and Wednesday at George Mason University's Patriot Center.
James Taylor , "A Christmas Album." Taylor's first seasonal collection is a major disappointment, lethargic and uninspired where it should be charming and engaging. Taylor's soft-spun voice would seem ideally suited to the project, but Dave Grusin's big-band backing mostly renders him bland. Duets with Natalie Cole on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and harmonica whiz Toots Thielemans on "The Christmas Song" fail to rouse Taylor (though a full album of Thielemans tooting would probably be grand). Available only at Hallmark stores.
Vanessa Williams, "Silver & Gold." Varied offerings in the pop-soul vein, from a lush duet with Brian McKnight on "Joy to the World" to the Carpenters separation ballad "Merry Christmas Darling." Williams also offers some big-band swing ("Winter Weather," "Christmas Is"), Celtic New Agey airs ("Silent Night," "The Holly and the Ivy"), supple spirituals ("Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow") and a stately recitation by actor Ossie Davis ("Prelude: I Dream a World").
Dianne Reeves, "Christmas Time Is Here." Reeves's rich vocals are subtly framed by a small jazz ensemble led by pianist Peter Martin and guitarist Romero Lubambo. Reeves swings "Carols of the Bells" and "Let It Snow" (with some Ella-like scatting) and gently essays rueful ballads like "Christmas Time Is Here" and the melancholy "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." And "The Little Drummer Boy" explores African rhythms this time around.
"Chris Isaak Christmas." Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley get channeled on a set of 10 standards and five originals, the best of which are the rueful "Washington Square," a bluesy "Christmas on TV" and "Gotta Be Paid," in which Isaak pays homage to . . . Louis Armstrong!
Will Downing, "Christmas, Love and You." Opening with a township jive, island-flavored take on "The Little Drummer Boy" (with an unnecessary rap coda from Jabba), the smooth R&B singer unhurriedly revisits a handful of standards and contributes a trio of reflective Donnie Hathaway-style ballads. Downing's little helpers include Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Joe Sample, Jonathan Butler, Najee and David Sanborn.
Dionne Warwick, "My Favorite Time of the Year." Surprisingly, this is the first holiday recording in Warwick's long, illustrious career. The tunes are mostly familiar, but Warwick's soothing vocals and smooth-jazz arrangements add some distinction. Still, she doesn't seem particularly inspired, even when she's duetting with Gladys Knight and Bebe Winans (who wrote the solid "I Believe in Christmas" especially for Warwick) or getting support on three tracks from saxophonist Dave Koz.
Carmen Balthrop, "The Art of Christmas, Vol. 1." The noted soprano, a professor of voice at the University of Maryland, gives rich and glorious readings to classical gems including Debussy's "Christmas Carol for Homeless Children" and Max Reger's haunting "Maria Wiegenlied," the Spanish-flavored graces of a trio of songs by the late Cuban composer Joaquin Nin, and stately spirituals "Sweet Little Baby Jesus" and "Mary's Boy Child." Pianist Carlos Rodriguez's accompaniment is flawless.
Sounds of Blackness, "The Night Before Christmas II." This group has been offering an urban musical version of the classic story since 1978 and a lively one it is, with Rappin' Reindeer, Dancin' Chitlins and Singing Christmas Stockings. Sometimes things get a little overcrowded -- this is probably a great show to see live -- but the Grammy-winning ensemble has more great singers than most major labels do.
Soundtrack, "Christmas With the Kranks." Steve Van Zandt produced this punk/garage-flavored effort tied to the film's misanthropic themes. The Ramones' classic "Merry Christmas (Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" sets the pace for the Danish garage duo the Raveonettes, the Chesterfield Kings, girl group the Charms and psychedelic-leaning Tina Sugand, balanced with vintage tracks from Elvis, Brenda Lee and Brian Setzer.
Soundtrack, "The Polar Express." Tom Hanks delivers the title track as classic Hollywood narrative and actually sings (sort of) on the jump-and-jive "Hot Chocolate." The songs, from the pens of Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, tend to the saccharine, but Aerosmith's Steven Tyler brings the old boogie to "Rockin' on Top of the World," and wholesome Josh Groban turns "Believe" into a personal Up With Santa. However, the best offerings come from old masters named Crosby, Como and the Andrews Sisters.
Trout Fishing in America , "Merry Fishes to All." Musical duo Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood provide funny, kid-oriented takes on the Christmas experience, from early-morning anxiety ("You Gotta Get Up") to tall tales of "The Eleven Cats of Christmas," contrasting the disappointment of "My Birthday Comes on Christmas" ("I'm only getting half of what I oughta") to the disgruntlement of "Santa Brought Me Clothes" and "I Got a Cheese Log."
"Rugrats Holiday Classics." Narrowly age- and taste-specific, these are silly songs "inspired" by the classics, including "Twelve Days of Rugrats," "Toys for the Girls" and "We Wish Dat Today Was Christmas." (We wish dat it wuz over.)
"Christmas Gumbo." A good-natured seasonal potpourri of New Orleans music featuring mostly original songs. The menu includes R&B legends Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas and Marva Wright, Cajun tunes by the venerable Hackberry Ramblers and Beausoleil, and the second-line rhythms of Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias, as well as rockers the Subdudes and swamp bluesman Sonny Landreth. Allen Toussaint contributes the amusing "The Day It Snows on Christmas (in New Orleans)," but loudest laughs go to former Galactic vocalist Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet, whose "Pimp My Sleigh" takes MTV's "Pimp My Ride" to an unnatural conclusion.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, "Everything You Want for Christmas." Big band, swing-focused collection that showcases the hard-driving horn section, which plays unsupported on a graceful "We Three Kings." Leader Scott Morris contributes three originals, the best of which, "Christmastime in Tinsel Town," cheerfully evokes a bygone era.
"A John Waters Christmas." Quirky and kinky meet in Watersworld: For the overweight, there's Fat Daddy's ode "Fat Daddy (Is Santa Claus)" and the reindeers' complaint, "Here Comes Fatty Claus"; for corny kiddie recitatives, there's Little Cindy's "Happy Birthday Jesus (A Child's Prayer)," Rita Faye Wilson's "Sleigh Bells, Reindeer and Snow" and Akim's "Santa Claus Is a Black Man." There's also some doo-wop and the odd voices of Tiny Tim and the Chipmunks.
"Maybe This Christmas Tree." Nettwerk's third Toys for Tots indie-rock fundraiser features cult faves Death Cab for Cutie on Phil Spector's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," symphonic popsters Polyphonic Spree on a grandiose reading of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," and newcomer Tom McRae delivering Paul McCartney's melancholy "Wonderful Christmastime."
Barenaked Ladies, "Barenaked for the Holidays." A mix of smartly, often hilariously, arranged Christmas and Hanukah carols and pop standards by Canada's pop ironists, augmented by seven originals, ranging from the poignant "Snowman" and eco-friendly "Green Christmas" to such wry and whimsical tracks as "Elf's Lament" and "Christmas Time, Oh Yeah."
"Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah! Music From 'The O.C.' Mix 3." Chrismukkah is the hybrid holiday championed by cool-geek Seth on Fox's popular prime-time teen soap opera -- although, oddly, there are no Hanukah tunes evident here. Since Seth is known for championing indie pop-rock, the choices are familiar: Jimmy Eat World liberating Wham!'s "Last Christmas," series regulars Rooney covering Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody," weird holiday missives from the Long Winters, the Eels ("Christmas Is Going to the Dogs") and underrated acts Ben Kweller, Ron Sexsmith, Leona Naess and the Raveonettes.
Cherish the Ladies, "On Christmas Night." The Celtic women's ensemble explores traditional American, Anglo and Celtic carols, jigs and reels, spryly performed on flute, whistles, accordion, piano, fiddle and bodhran (the last drives "The Little Drummer Boy"). Several medleys stretch out to the six- or seven-minute mark, and Heidi Talbott's crystalline vocals grace "The Castle of Dromore" and a Gaelic "Silent Night."
Various artists, "Christmas Grass Vol. 2." Stellar bluegrass musicians offer support for a bevy of mountain divas: Dolly Parton western-swinging Tex Logan's "Christmas Time's a Comin'," Rhonda Vincent offering "Another Tender Tennessee Christmas" and Sonya Isaacs delivering a delicate "Mary, Did You Know?" And newcomers Shauna and Tina Larkin shine on Alabama's "Christmas in Dixie."
Beltway Brass, "Holiday Drive." This local brass quintet, which grew out of the Dixie Power Trio, is a showcase for trumpet and fluegelhorn player Zachary Smith's inventive jazz arrangements and tuba player Andy Kochenour's bass underpinning. Some tracks are deliriously jaunty; some, like "Christmas Time Is Here" and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas," feature a lush, evocative sprawl; and on their "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," he's bouncing all the way. Beltway Brass performs Wednesday at the Friendship Heights Village Center in Chevy Chase.
Kitka, "Wintersongs." The stellar Eastern European women's vocal octet brings a contemporary sensibility to centuries-old vocal traditions. This collection features songs from Latvia, Bulgaria, Russia, Romania, Belarus, Hungary and Greece, some of pre-Christian origins celebrating the solstice. With occasional dissonance, the group's lush chorales can be hauntingly exotic one moment, sublimely beautiful the next, particularly on the complex a cappella selections. Not knowing the language -- many languages, actually -- is no hindrance.
"A Windham Hill Christmas: I'll Be Home for Christmas." The New Age label has built a cottage industry on elegant and ethereal instrumental anthologies like this: Solo piano ruminations from Liz Story, Jim Brickman, Giovanna Imbesi and Philip Aaberg; solo guitar expositions from Sean Harkness and Steve Erquiaga; assorted chamber folk settings led by violinist Tracy Silverman and oboist Paul McCandless; a sprightly George Winston harmonica reading of "Sussex Carol"; and "Yazala Abambut," a lovely number from Ugandan singer Samite.
Emmylou Harris, "Light of the Stable." This 1979 classic of bluegrass-tinted acoustic country gets a three-new-song upgrade, including Beth Nielsen Chapman's moving "There Is a Light" and a sublime "Man Is an Island," where Harris is joined by the song's authors, Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Others who lent their harmonies include Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt (these were the first Trio recordings), Neil Young, Willie Nelson and Ricky Skaggs.
