Christmas CDs

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 3, 2004 | by Deseret Morning News

Here are reviews of holiday albums that have been released this year.

BARENAKED LADIES; "Barenaked for the Holidays" (Desperation Records)

The Barenaked Ladies have managed to make mainstream albums chock- full of humor. And "Barenaked for the Holidays" keeps that tradition alive. Batman makes an appearance in "Jingle Bells," subtle sound effects give "Green Christmas" its edge and the laughs continue with "Elf's Lament." Yet, Christmas isn't the only holiday mentioned on this album. Hanukkah comes in three with "Hanukkah Blessings," "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah" and "I Have a Dreidel." One of the coolest remakes on this album is Band Aid's 1985 hit "Do They Know It's Christmas?" -- Scott Iwasaki

JOHN BAYLESS, PIANO; "Christmas Rhapsody" (Koch International Classics)

At first glance, you might think this album is nothing more than an insipid, Yanni-esque rip-off of Christmas music. But you'd be dead wrong. This CD contains some of the most stunningly creative piano arrangements of popular and traditional Christmas music you'll find anywhere. John Bayless is a wonderfully imaginative pianist and a refreshingly original arranger. His versatility as both is amply illustrated in the 13 tracks on this CD. Bayless cleverly mixes styles that range from boogie woogie to Gershwin to classical. His version of Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" is captivatingly simple. His medley of "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night" is touchingly poignant. This is an album worth having. -- Edward Reichel

JANIE BECKER; "The Holly and The Ivy" (JB Productions)

Janie Becker captures both the simplicity and elegance of traditional carols in this collection of piano solos. The most intriguing part is the way she combines more than 30 carols into a series of medleys. For example, her "Wonder of Christmas" combines "Do You Hear What I Hear?" "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "Little Drummer Boy;" while the "Star Carol Medley" pairs Alfred Burt's "Star Carol" and "Some Children See Him" with the haunting "Wexford Carol." In all, there are songs from 10 different countries, dating back as far as 1000 B.C., so it provides a comprehensive look at the season. The carols are well-matched and nicely executed. -- Carma Wadley

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY; "Everything You Want For Christmas" (Vanguard)

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is gonna swing your holidays this year with "Everything You Want for Christmas." This rocking album includes a nice finger-snapping version of "Mr. Heatmiser," from the Rankin/ Bass production of "The Year Without a Santa Claus." The album's also highlighted with "Blue Christmas," "Christmastime in Tinsel Town," a couple of nice Latin takes on "Jingle Bells." One is "Jingle Bells (Cha Cha)," the other a hidden track. Oh, yeah, there's also a horns- only rendition of "We Three Kings." The party never stops with BBVD. - - S.I.

PAUL CARDALL; "Christmas Hymns" (Stone Angel Music)

Ten years ago, Sandy resident Paul Cardall recorded music to accompany Richard Paul Evans' book "The Christmas Box." This time around, the pianist recorded "Christmas Hymns" to appease himself and his fans. And it works beautifully. The piano and small ensemble arrangements of each song complement each other and revive the New Age sound. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," "Still, Still, Still," "Do You Hear What I Hear?" "Carol of the Bells" and "Silent Night" are just a few of the 10 tracks on this album. Listen to this album late at night with nothing but candles or the Christmas-tree lights illuminating the living room. -- S.I.

PETER CETERA; "You Just Gotta Love Christmas" (Golden Thread Records/Viastar)

Peter Cetera's easy-listening tenor takes on some traditional and original holiday songs. This self-produced album has the singer finding joy in "Let It Snow," "The Christmas Song," "Jingle Bells," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." He sings duets with Alison Krauss and his daughter Claire on "Deck the Halls" and "Blue Christmas," respectively. Original Cetera holiday tunes include the album's title track, "Something That Santa Claus Left Behind" and "Alone for the Holidays." The production is tight and the songs, even the originals, are sung with feeling. -- S.I.

RAY CONNIFF SINGERS; "Here We Come A-Caroling" (Legacy)

Nostalgic for the '60s? What could be better than the perky sound of the Ray Conniff Singers? This collection, part of Legacy's "Essential Holiday Classics" series, includes traditional carols such as "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "Joy to the World," "What Child Is This?" and "O Tannenbaum," all done with the signature harmony and beat that made the singers a fixture a few decades back. It sounds dated now, but if you grew up with it, the memories may supersede the music. -- C.W.

DR. ELMO; "Christmas in the USA" (BMG)

It has been 25 years since Grandma first got run over by a reindeer, and Dr. Elmo is celebrating that with a special 25th Anniversary Live Version on this CD. There's also a sequel: It seems that "Grandma's Spending Christmas with the Superstars," hanging out with the likes of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. That brand of offbeat humor carries through to the rest of the CD, which features folksy (albeit sometimes risqu) humor involving everything from dating Santa Claus to greedy kids and Santa's need to diet. The banjo- instrumental of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is lively, but seems an odd inclusion, given the tenor of the rest of the album. But odd is what Dr. Elmo's always been about. -- C.W.