If you’re hosting a Christmas party or just getting
around to trimming the tree, here are some new releases to freshen up your
seasonal soundtrack.
Artist: The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Title: Rockin’ Rudolph (Surfdog)
You might enjoy if you like: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal
Crown Revue, Stray Cats
Tell me more: For his third studio Christmas album – and
first in a decade - the former Stray Cat mixes big band arrangements with
rockabilly flourishes to fine effect. Longtime producers Peter Collins and Dave
Darling return as Setzer puts his unique spin on classics like the upbeat,
jiving “Here Comes Santa Claus” (with prominent female backing vocals), a
subtle cocktail lounge-styled "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,"
plus vibrant instrumental takes on "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and
"Carol of the Bells." But the real winners here are the 18-piece ensemble’s
racing "Yabba-Dabba Yuletide" (based on TV’s “The Flintstones” theme,
with a nifty sax solo, presented in regular and extended lengths) and a quite rocking,
1960s-leaning "Rockabilly Rudolph." Super fans can purchase the
deluxe box set stuffed with goodies at www.pledgemusic.com.
Information: www.briansetzer.com
Artist: Sharon
Jones and the Dap-Kings
Title: It’s
a Holiday Soul Party (Daptone)
You might enjoy if you like: Ike & Tina Turner,
Aretha Franklin, Fitz & the Tantrums
Tell me
more: The Brooklyn-based, Grammy-nominated act
delve into old school R&B, soul and funk sounds with stellar results during
“It’s a Holiday Soul Party.” Impressively, half the selections are memorable originals,
including the lively “8 Days (of Hanukkah),” where Sharon Jones soulfully sings
about dreidels, frying latkes and cooking up brisket as the female backing
singers count things down. Some compelling social consciousness arrives via
“Ain’t No Chimneys in the Projects,” with a sweeping string arrangement and
prominent horn lines that recall Marvin Gaye. A groove-laden “Just Another
Christmas Song” seamlessly incorporates seasonal song titles, while the jaunty
“Big Bulbs” boasts a finger snapping gypsy vibe and gives all the ladies’
smooth harmonies a chance to shine.
Information: www.sharonjonesandthedapkings.com
Artist: Tony Hadley
Title: The Christmas Album (Verve)
You might enjoy if you like: Bryan Ferry, ABC, Spandau
Ballet
Tell me more: Although Spandau Ballet enthusiasts are
still waiting for a new release following the 1980s new romantic band’s reunion
a few years ago, they can revel in the frontman’s diverse and luxurious crop of
covers and originals. Some are more about being together in wintertime than
anything else. Among the 16 tracks are Hadley’s cheery interpretation of
Train’s “Shake Up Christmas,” Greg Lake’s regal and hushed “I Believe in Father
Christmas,” an effervescent “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (done
Springsteen-style), The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” and a barrelhouse
piano-driven “Run Run Rudolph.” Elsewhere, the romantic “I Don’t Want to Spend
One More Christmas Without You” (popularized by ‘N Sync) is right in Hadley’s
wheelhouse, while the stripped down, piano and synth-laden take on Keane’s
“Somewhere Only We Know” and Chris Rea’s breezy “Driving Home for Christmas”
are standouts.
Information: www.tonyhadley.com
Artist: LeAnn Rimes
Title: Today is Christmas (Prodigy Entertainment/Kobalt)
You might enjoy if you like: Trisha Yearwood, Martina
McBride, Sara Evans
Tell me more: LeAnn Rimes’ third holiday album was
recorded in LA, but much of it boasts an old school Southern R&B vibe,
thanks to a stellar crop of session vets like Booker T. Jones, Willie Weeks,
Ray Parker Jr., James Gadson and others. A delight from start to finish, Rimes
duets with Aloe Blacc on the laid back, grooving Ray Charles popularized “That
Spirit of Christmas,” then teams with Gavin DeGraw on Kenny Loggins’ heartwarming
“Celebrate Me Home” as both get some soulful wails in (the latter is among
several featuring drummer Steve Ferrone of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers). Elsewhere,
a fun, quick-fire Dixieland take on the old Mitch Miller tune “Must Be Santa”
and the beautiful Vince Guaraldi/Lee Mendelson-penned “Christmas Time is Here”
doesn’t wear out its welcome. Both are highlights, along with the aching, piano
and cello-enriched Brandi Carlile ballad “The Heartache Can Wait.” Rimes also
includes better known numbers within medleys and a stunning a capella “Auld
Lang Syne.”
Information: www.leannrimesworld.com
Artist: Train
Title: Christmas in Tahoe (Sunken Forest)
You might enjoy if you like: Counting Crows, Matchbox 20
Tell me more: In 2010, Train did “Shake up Christmas” on
the deluxe edition of the “Save Me San Francisco” CD, but this is the band’s
first full holiday studio effort. Besides the aforementioned infectious track,
Pat Monahan and company key into the album title with mild, organ-led rocker “Christmas
Island” and another solid original, the folk-ish ‘Wait for Mary, Christmas.”
Train puts its trademark sing-along pop/rock stamp on Stevie Wonder’s “What Christmas Means to Me” and Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.” They also serve up
a few pleasant surprises in Slade’s “Merry Christmas Everybody” (complete
with psychedelic bridge), the skiffle take on “Santa Bring
My Baby Back to Me” (where Monahan whimsically channels Elvis),
The Band’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight” and a brilliant chiming version of “Tinsel
Lights,” by Tracey Thorn (of Everything But the Girl). “Tahoe” is available for
streaming exclusively through Amazon Prime and purchase on CD.
Information: www.savemesanfrancisco.com,
www.amazon.com
Artist: Kenny Rogers
Title: Once Again It’s Christmas (Warner Bros.)
You might enjoy if you like: Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton,
Vince Gill
Tell me more: By all accounts, Kenny Rogers has become synonymous
with Christmas music, having put out six official holiday albums over the past
30 years. Some are better than others (1984’s “Once Upon a Christmas” with
Dolly Parton ranks as the best); “Once Again It’s Christmas” falls somewhere between.
Featuring plenty of subtle orchestration and spiritual underpinnings, it’s good
for snuggling with your loved one by a fire. Jennifer Nettles turns up for a
playful duet on “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Alison Krauss adds angelic sophistication
to the ballad “Some Children See Him,” female duo Winfield’s Locket bring drama
to “There’s a New Kid in Town” and Jim Brickman plays some classy piano during
the elegant “That Silent Night.” But when Rogers pairs with Home Free – winner of
“The Sing Off” competition – on traditional gospel number “Children, Go Where I
Send Thee,” everything really heat up. Rogers also tweaks previous arrangements
of “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Information: www.kennyrogers.com
Artists: Various
Title: Now That’s What I Call Country Christmas (Universal
Music Group)
You might enjoy if you like: any country music past and
present
Tell me more: On “Now That’s What I Call Country Christmas,
the long-running multi-genre compilation series rounds up 30 tracks spanning from
1979 to last year. A veritable “who’s who” of country music, it leans more
modern, but there are several veterans on hand, including Reba, George Strait,
Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and Johnny Cash. Highlights on Disc 1 include
Hunter Hayes’ spirited live rendition of “Merry Christmas Baby” with tasty electric
guitar work, Toby Keith’s lean country rocker “Santa I’m Right Here,” Brad
Paisley’s equally sizzling and humorous cover of Buck Owens’ “Santa Looked a
Lot Like Daddy” and Little Big Town’s understated “Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas.” Among the standouts on Disc 2 are Gary Allan’s barrelhouse
piano-driven “Please Come Home for Christmas,” Alabama’s haunting “Little
Drummer Boy,” Montgomery Gentry’s version of the Robert Earl Keen steeped-in-reality
tune “Merry Christmas From the Family” and Willie Nelson classic “Pretty Paper.”
Information: www.nowthatsmusic.com
Artists: Various
Title: Indie for the Holidays (Amazon Prime)
You might enjoy if you like: independent alt-rock
Tell me more: An Amazon Prime exclusive, this collection
features more than two dozen well-known acts and newcomers that are mostly signed
to independent labels. A bulk of the songs are originals. Reverend Horton Heat,
Family of the Year, Turin Brakes, Rogue Wave and Avid Dancer all turn in solid
songs. Yet the highlights come from Sondre Lerche, whose chamber pop-leaning “Surviving
Christmas” describes an uncertain future; A Silent Film, reminiscing about the
past on elegant ballad “Christmas at Our House”; Yacht, whose odd New Wave-ish,
drum machine-driven “Christmas Alone” details a nontraditional holiday; Lisa
Loeb delves into dark-hued Beck territory on “Champagne”; Robert Pollard of
Guided by Voices’ “What Begins on New Year’s Day” is a short and intriguing blend
of acoustic/electric guitars.
Information: www.amazon.com
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