CD reviews: New holiday music to match anybody’s taste
Kelly Clarkson, “Wrapped in Red”
* * * * (out of four), RCA Records
• Song selections: Fourteen tracks – some originals, some classics – by the Grammy Award-winning pop vocalist and “American Idol” alum.
• Ear candy: Clarkson’s powerful voice adds a fresh twist to several holiday favorites. But the real highlights of this album are the original tunes, particularly the title track, the Motown-inspired “Underneath the Tree,” and “Winter Dreams,” a shout-out to new hubby Brandon.
• Lumps of coal: Nothing too terrible, but the “bring me a little something from Tiffany’s” motif on “4 Carats” is a bit tired.
• When to play it: If you’re looking to recharge your holiday music collection.
Suzanne Perez Tobias
Mary J Blige, “A Mary Christmas”
* * * , Verve
• Song selections: Producer David Foster rolls out Mary J Blige for his annual Christmas CD (she made presentimental appearances on previous Foster seasonals by Andrea Boccelli and Rod Stewart).
• Ear candy: Blige’s contempo vibe heightens the drama where it’s least expected – on a stirring and spirited “Little Drummer Boy” and a “Do You Hear What I Hear?” duet with Jessie J. The French carol “Petit Papa Noel” and Spanish “Silent Night” (“Noche de Paz”) with Marc Anthony strike sweet chords.
• Lumps of coal: Since when is “When You Wish Upon a Star” (a duet albeit beautifully done with Barbra Streisand) a Christmas song? It apparently hijacked the same sleigh as “My Favorite Things” – yep, it’s here, too, and none too jolly.
• When to play it: When you need a groove break.
Annie Calovich
Duck Dynasty, “Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas”
* * * Universal
• Song selections: Thirteen holiday songs from the camouflage-clad stars of A&E’s hit reality show, along with special guests Alison Krauss, George Strait, Josh Turner and Luke Bryan.
• Ear candy: Fans of the show will appreciate “Ragin’ Cajun Redneck Christmas” and “Hairy Christmas” (“Like Jesus and Santa Claus / We’ve got love behind these beards / Wishing you a hairy Christmas / And a happy, happy, happy New Year ”). And “Silent Night” might inspire a family sing-along.
• Lumps of coal: The Duck Dynasty version of “The Night Before Christmas,” written by Willie Robertson and read by Uncle Si, seems superfluous.
• When to play it: As you’re readying the duck calls, cleaning your shotguns or making up a batch of boudin sausage for the family Christmas get-together.
Suzanne Perez Tobias
Joshua Bell, “Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends”
* * * Masterworks
• Song selections: This CD by Grammy-winning conductor and violinist Bell includes 15 holiday songs featuring him on strings and other famous vocalists and musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Chris Botti, Alison Krauss and Straight No Chaser joining in. The songs are of the more restrained variety – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Silent Night,” “O Tannenbaum” and such.
• Ear candy: Bell and jazz pianist Chick Corea team up for an amazing instrumental rendition of “Greensleeves,” and Kristin Chenoweth delivers an uncharacteristically restrained vocal on a beautiful “O Holy Night.”
• Lumps of coal: Not a single song is un-listenable, but Bell’s audible inhalation as he plays his instrument can be distracting and rather disconcerting. It’s not as noticeable on the songs with vocals.
• When to play it: As a reward for your children completing their holiday instrument practice time.
Denise Neil
Jewel, “Let It Snow: A Holiday Collection”
* * * REFLECTIONS
• Song selections: A dozen seasonal songs, including two sprightly originals, “Blue Crystal Glow” and “It’s Christmastime,” from the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter.
• Ear candy: Jewel’s crystal-clear, childlike voice lends just the right tone to favorites “What Child Is This?” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” And the Latin hymn “Panis Angelicus” is a lovely change of pace from everyday holiday fare.
• Lumps of coal: Fans of Jewel’s acoustic pop may not appreciate the country-infused flavor of several tracks, particularly “White Christmas,” which features Vince Gill on guitar and vocals.
• When to play it: Cozied up at home by the fire, watching the snow fall.
Suzanne Perez Tobias
Various artists, “Now Christmas”
* * * Universal Music Group
• Song selections: Two discs. Sixteen songs each. One a compilation of classic carols from greats such as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. The other a collection of holiday tunes performed by more recent artists, ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Maroon 5.
• Ear candy: Disc one, which has all the classics on it, is a must-have for anyone who likes holiday music to sound like it used to. Nothing’s better than the buttery beauty of Nat King Cole singing “The Christmas Song” and the smooth delivery of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”
• Lumps of coal: It’s difficult to transition from the Burl Ives calm of disc one into the Justin Bieber, Alvin and the Chipmunks mayhem of disc two. Send that one off with the kids and hope it does not return.
• When to play it: Disc one is ideal background music for your family gift exchange or holiday cookie bake. Disc two should remain safely in the package.
Denise Neil
Barbra Streisand, “The Classic Christmas Album”
* Columbia/Legacy
• Song selections: Streisand is one of many artists who has a “Classic Christmas Album” on the market this year. Neil Diamond, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Alabama and Andy Williams are among the others whose past holiday recordings have been repackaged into new releases. Streisand’s offers some recognizable carols such as “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” But it’s more populated by adult-contemprary Christmas originals with titles such as “Snowbound” and “A Christmas Love Song.”
• Ear candy: Streisand’s voice is pure ear candy, but her holiday songs are cringe-worthy and hokey. Many of the 16 tracks are difficult to differentiate, but most are weighed down with dopey chimes and melodramatic violins.
• Lumps of coal: Most of the non-classic songs are fairly unbearable. And Streisand might be slightly guilty of overacting with her vocals, such as when she hollowly giggles about the “tiny tots with their eyes all aglow” on “The Christmas Song.”
• When to play it: When you’re feeling desperate to wallow in unrequited holiday love – or if you just love Babs enough to bear it.
Denise Neil
Gretchen Wilson, “Christmas in My Heart”
* * 1/2 Redneck Records
• Song selections: Ten holiday tunes from country music’s self-proclaimed “Redneck Woman.”
• Ear candy: “Santa, I’ve Been Naughty” and “If You See Rudolph” are signature Gretchen. The delightfully upbeat “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is charming as well.
• Lumps of coal: Grown women should not sing “Nuttin’ For Christmas.” Ever.
• When to play it: When you want to hear holiday classics with just a touch of country-western attitude.
Suzanne Perez Tobias
Celtic Thunder, “Christmas Voices”
* * Celtic Thunder Limited
• Song selections: Fifteen holiday staples sung both solo and in ensemble by six members of the Irish group, backed by a 90-piece orchestra.
• Ear candy: The album opens with “Carol of the Bells,” a moving group rendition matched only by later ear-pleasing performances of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Midway through, “Fairytale of New York” adds a fun, pub-inspired sound to the mix.
• Lumps of coal: A recurring absence of expected, impressive harmonies makes the album a disappointment overall. Member Ryan Kelly’s “In the Bleak Mid-Winter,” with its strained vocals and odd piano-flute intro, leaves one feeling especially Grinchy. Avoid “Christmas Medley” entirely.
• When to play it: Mix tracks from “Christmas Voices” with better-loved holiday classics to create a party CD. Play as background music only after guests are full of eggnog-induced cheer.
Amy Renee Leiker
Susan Boyle, “Home for Christmas”
* * * 1/2 SYCO Music/Columbia Records
• Song selections: Twelve slow-paced Christmas classics by the “Britain’s Got Talent” underdog who wowed the world with her powerful, unexpected performance of Les Miserables’ “I Dreamed a Dream” on the show in 2009.
• Ear candy: Boyle’s voice shines in traditional hymns “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and her sweet, upbeat rendition of “The Christmas Waltz” delights.
• Lumps of coal: While Boyle’s voice is pretty and precise, most of the songs lack the deep emotion and artist ownership that make music truly stirring. She is sadly overshadowed in duets “O Come, All Ye Faithful” with Elvis Presley and “When a Child Is Born” with Johnny Mathis.
• When to play it: Slide the album in your CD player as your family quietly reflects on its blessings this holiday season.
Amy Renee Leiker
Andy Williams, “The Classic Christmas Album”
* * * Sony Legacy
• Song selections: Sixteen classic Christmas tunes sung by the classic crooner.
• Ear candy: Not a bad recording in the bunch. Especially enjoyable are “Joy to the World” and the upbeat favorite “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
• Lumps of coal: Absolutely none.
• When to play it: Driving around looking at Christmas lights or wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve.
Laurie Boogert
Johnny Mathis, “Sending You a Little Christmas”
* * * 1/2 Columbia
• Song selections: A mix of Christmas songs featuring collaborations with favorites including Billy Joel, Jim Brickman and Susan Boyle.
• Ear candy: The beautiful “I’ll Be Home for Christmas/White Christmas” sung with Vince Gill and Amy Grant and the lovely “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)” are not easily forgotten. Seventy-eight-year-old Mathis sounds as good as ever.
• Lumps of coal: None.
• When to play it: Whenever you want a relaxing and refreshing break in your busy holiday schedule.
Laurie Boogert
Trace Adkins, “The King’s Gift (Tiodhlac An Righ)”
* * 1/2 Caliburn
• Song selections: A mix of Christmas, Celtic and country featuring the soothing voice of Trace Adkins, interesting instrumentals and a cast of friends.
• Ear candy: Classics “O Holy Night,” “We Three Kings” and “What Child Is This?” shine in this 10-song assortment of Christmas joy. Lily and Kevin (yes, that Kevin) Costner join Adkins on a rendition of “Silent Night” that would bring the crowd at the “Field of Dreams” to its feet.
• Lumps of coal: If you don’t like country or Celtic sounds, pass. A love of Christmas alone won’t cut it.
• When to play it: Break it out with your third batch of eggnog.
John Boogert
Heart, “Heart Presents A Lovemongers’ Christmas”
* * Sony Music
• Song selections: A combination of 12 original and traditional Christmas songs in a mix of musical styles ranging from acoustic to synthesized.
• Ear candy: “Christmas Waits” has a well-executed Burt Bacharach, Carpenters-esque sound to it. “Ave Maria” gets a traditional acoustic treatment and the welcome, powerful voice of Nancy Wilson.
• Lumps of coal: “How Beautiful” relies too much on the synthesizer and feels more like an under-produced rock ballad of the ’90s than an original Christmas song with staying power.
• When to play it: When only Christmas music for background matters.
Jerry Siebenmark
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, “It Feels Like Christmas Time”
* * * * Savoy Jazz
• Song selections: A big-band extravaganza of Christmas classics.
• Ear candy: The Frank Sinatra-inspired “Jingle Bells” and Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” are standouts, as is the original “Christmas Is Starting Now.” The album’s Deluxe Edition is worth getting just for “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
• Lumps of coal: An instrumental version of “We Three Kings” lacks the verve of the rest of the album.
• When to play it: Groggy from eggnog? Pull this one up and you’ll be swinging in no time.
Michael Roehrman
Bad Religion, “Christmas Songs”
* * * Epitaph Records
• Song selections: Eight Christmas staples and one original track in the thinking-person’s punk band’s signature style.
• Ear candy: The whole album is remarkably consistent, but “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” are the first ones to hear. Bonus: They’re the first two tracks.
• Lumps of coal: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” has the power, but not the soul, of the rest of the tracks.
• When to play it: If you like to hear shredding tunes while you shred wrapping paper, you can’t go wrong with this.
Michael Roehrman
Straight No Chaser, “Under the Influence (Holiday Edition)”
* * * Atlantic
• Song selections: Eight a capella versions of seasonal songs, including duets with Colbie Caillat, CeeLo Green, Otis Redding and Paul McCartney.
• Ear candy: Of the duets, Caillat blends the best with the group, though all four offer their pleasures. Of the rest, the original tune “Home by Christmas Day” plays up the group’s strengths. If you’re a fan of their “Christmas Can-Can,” be sure to check out “Nutcracker.”
• Lumps of coal: “Amazing Grace” sounds nice but lacks gravitas.
• When to play it: When you’re looking for pleasant diversion.
Michael Roehrman
Erasure, “Snow Globe”
* * Mute Artists
• Song selections: Four Clarke/Bell originals and nine covers in Erasure’s distinctive synthpop style.
• Ear candy: For those expecting a traditional Christmas sound, the haunting “Silent Night” is your best bet. For those expecting a traditional Erasure sound, shimmy forward to “There’ll Be No Tomorrow.” For a perfect blending of the two, “Gaudete,” sung in the original Latin, is can’t-miss.
• Lumps of coal: The repetitive music-box-meets-electronica soundscape in “The Christmas Song” and “Midnight Clear” can grate after a short while.
• When to play it: When you’ve had your fill of standard-sounding Christmas albums.
Michael Roehrman
Il Volo, “Buon Natale – The Christmas Album”
* * * Interscope Records
• Song selections: A trio of young Italian singers (introduced to the American masses on “American Idol” in 2011) tries to widen its American reach with a Christmas CD. (“Il Volo” means “flight.”)
• Ear candy: Any CD that begins with “Ave Maria” and “O Holy Night” and contains two versions of “Silent Night” (English and German) and “Panis Angelicus” is to that extent inspired.
• Lumps of coal: The Italian accents of Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca don’t ring true on American secular standards. “Jack Frost knitting at your nose” just hurts. And we don’t need a dramatic love song (“Notte Stellata”) to steal Christmas’s thunder at the end of the disc.
• When to play it: You want to fly to Roma for Natale but are stuck in Wichita.
Annie Calovich
“WOW Christmas: 30 Top Christian Artists and Holiday Songs”
* * * Capitol Christian Music Group Provident Label Group
• Song selections: 30 Christmas songs, both traditional and contemporary.
• Ear candy: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” sung by Amy Grant, has a rockin’ tune and makes you want to jump up and get that tree decorated.
• Lumps of coal: Newsboys’ “All I Want for Christmas Is You” sounded like most other versions of the song.
• Listen to it: Disc one is great music for driving to the mall, and disc two is good background music for wrapping up those gifts.
Peggy Smith
Judy Collins, “Christmas With Judy Collins”
* * * * Cleopatra Records
• Song selections: Sixteen original and traditional Christmas songs including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Away in a Manger,” and “Joy to the World.” The CD also includes one of Collins’ most famous songs, “Amazing Grace.” Her clear voice is always a treasure.
• Ear candy: “Silent Night” and “The Blizzard” are true Judy Collins style, a treat for any child of the ’60s and ’70s.
• Lumps of coal: None. This CD is a winner.
• Listen to it: In the car, at home wrapping presents or going to sleep at night.
Beccy Tanner
This story was originally published December 8, 2013 at 12:00 AM with the headline "CD reviews: New holiday music to match anybody’s taste."