Humdingers and humbugs: New holiday CDs range from merry to Christmas

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 12, 2003

As is usual for this time of year, an avalanche of new holiday albums has hit the record racks in the past few weeks, both new and re-released yuletide CDs. So, here's a list -- you can check it twice -- to help you sort through the melee.

GENE AUTRY, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Other Christmas Classics" (Columbia/Legacy) -- They didn't call him the singing cowboy for nothing, but Autry is almost as well known for his Christmas crooning. Originally recorded in the 1940s and '50s, Autry's classic songs have been remastered and reissued in a collection that will bring nostalgia for the older set and interest for a new generation of youngsters. Included are "Here Comes Santa Claus," "The Night Before Christmas," "Where Did My Snowman Go?" "Round and Round the Christmas Tree," "Up on the Housetop" and more - - 18 light and lilty Santa songs in all. -- Carma Wadley

BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, "Go Tell It on the Mountain," (Real World Records) -- Bringing in a guest artist for all but two of the numbers, the Blind Boys and friends bring toe-tapping energy and Southern gospel flavor to traditional carols and spirituals. Included are the title cut (with Tom Waits), "Little Drummer Boy" (Michael Franti), "Joy to the World" (Aaron Neville), "Born in Bethlehem" (Mavis Staples) and "The Christmas Song" (Shelby Lynne). The Blind Boys go it alone on "Last Month of the Year" and "Silent Night" but with equal vibrancy and style. If you like it loud and rousing, here's where you'll find it. -- C.W.

JIM BRICKMAN; "Peace" (Windham Hill) -- Brickheads rejoice! Pianist Brickman has released his follow-up to his first holiday album, "The Gift." "Peace" finds Brickman once again in the Christmas spirit as he touches off, among others, "O Holy Night," "Away in a Manger" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Childhood friend and vocalist Anne Cochran and violinist Tracy Silverman join Brickman on "Do You Hear What I Hear" and the Blind Boys of Alabama make an appearance on "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Closing the album is the title cut, which features country balladeer Collin Raye. -- Scott Iwasaki

BROADWAY INSPIRATIONAL VOICES, "Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas" (Sis-K-Boom Records) -- Broadway Inspirational Voices is a gospel choir made up of 50 Broadway performers in New York City -- which is probably why the CD has a theatrical flair. You don't envision this choir sitting sedately in choir seats. The music is loud and exuberant and full of both energy and world-music influences. Songs include many traditional carols, such as "Joy to the World," "Go, Tell It on the Mountain," "What Child Is This," and a few contemporary songs, such as "A Christmas Wish" and "Have You Heard About the Baby." -- C.W.

JOHNNY CASH, "Christmas With Johnny Cash" (Columbia/Legacy) -- Cash, who died earlier this year, always was known as the consummate story teller. And that's evident on this collection, originally recorded in the 1960s. In addition to traditional carols, such as "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Joy to the World," done with Cash's gravelly -- albeit younger -- voice, there are some classic story songs that tell of special Christmas guests and Christmas gifts. Included is a previously unreleased autobiographical "Christmas As I Knew It" culled from Cash's TV show tapes. Nostalgia and emotion are in rich abundance. -- C.W.

KENNY CHESNEY, "All I Want for Christmas" (BMG Records) -- If your idea of the perfect Christmas involves sandy beaches and swaying palm trees instead of snow and evergreens, this one's for you. Hunky country singer Chesney captures the tropical mood with steel drums and steel guitars on songs such as "All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan," "Jingle Bells," and "Just a Kid." Alabama's Randy Owen joins him on "Christmas in Dixie," and Willie Nelson adds his distinctive vocals on "Pretty Paper." Chesney wraps things up with a couple of traditional carols ("Silent Night," "O Little Town of Bethlehem") but it's still full of that island flavor. -- C.W.

CHICAGO; "Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be, Santa" (Rhino) -- In 1998, Chicago released "25," its Christmas album. Five years later, the band from the Windy City has remastered and re-released that album, adding new recordings of "Winter Wonderland," "Sleigh Ride," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," a punky version of "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" and a Chicago original titled "Bethlehem," to such pre-existing works as "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "What Child Is This" and "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" A classic. -- S.I.

CHRISTMAS JUG BAND, "Uncorked" (Globe Records) -- You don't actually hear any jugs, but you do get the washboard and a lot of other countrified instruments, such as wood blocks, coat hanger, bells, tambourine, maracas, jew's-harp and kazoo, in addition to guitar, harmonica and drums, as the band serves up light-hearted songs about hippopotamuses, reindeer blues, a boogie-woogie Santa, and even a poor Santa who's lost half of his jolly laugh. The band seems to be having a lot of fun, and that spirit is contagious. -- C.W.