Christmas CDs

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

ENOCH TRAIN and THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR; "O Come Little Children" (Joyspring Records)

Folk ensemble Enoch Train, with its multitude of instruments and styles that cross all borders, teams up with the International Children's Choir, with its pure and sweet voices and equally multi- cultural outlook, for a fresh and inviting tour of the world. Things start with an "unapologetic sing-along" of traditional favorites such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Far Far Away on Judea's Plains," then travels to the mid-East ("O Come, O Come Emmanuel"), Spain ("Campana Sobre Campana"), Africa ("Betelehemu"), Russia ("Trepak") and more. The rich textures and wealth of spirit invite repeated listening. -- C.W.

MICHAEL FRANKS; "Watching the Snow" (Rhino)

Mellow, laid-back, bluesy. Whatever you want to call the mood Michael Franks creates, he does it well, evoking lazy winter days in front of a fireplace, maybe in the mountains, or maybe in Kyoto. There's a bit of edginess to songs such as "I Bought You a Plastic Star (for Your Aluminum Tree)"; but an unalloyed appreciation for snow in the title cut "When the Snowman Sings." Guest artist Veronica Nunn joins Franks on a slightly warmer-flavored "Island Christmas," which is tempered by the Currier-and-Ives-ish "Said The Snowflake." And a lot of lovin' in songs such as "The Kiss" and "My Present." -- C.W.

EMMYLOU HARRIS; "Light of the Stable" (Warner Bros./Rhino)

This album is another collection of older, previously recorded songs, with a few new ones added, most with superstar back-up -- from Willie Nelson and Ricky Skaggs to Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Neil Young. The title track is one of the loveliest, but many others are also fun, from the traditional to the unfamiliar. A nice "alternative" holiday album. -- Chris Hicks

LARRY THE CABLE GUY; "A Very Larry Christmas" (Warner Bros.)

Larry the Cable Guy, who can be seen on the "Blue Collar Comedy Hour," loves Christmas. Well, sort of. His comedy album "A Very Larry Christmas" pokes fun at the way the workin' folk celebrate the holidays. "Santy for a Day," "Easy to Assemble," "Christmas Weight Gain," "Redneck Santa Claus" and a short-and-to-the-point redneck version of "On the First Day of Christmas" are sharp and gut- bustingly funny. This is not the album for everyone, but anyone who enjoys the likes of Jeff Foxworthy will love this album. -- S.I.

LORIE LINE; "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Lorie Line Music)

Pianist Line's music often ranges from interesting to mediocre -- sometimes on a single album. This holiday offering is no different, but it does have some good choices, from "Santa Baby" to "Jingle Bell Rock" to "White Christmas" (with vocalist Robert Robinson) to the "Charlie Brown Christmas" tune "Christmas Time Is Here." -- C.H.

THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER; "The Christmas Album" (Columbia)

This 1992 album, produced by Johnny Mandel, has the unique stylings of the foursome in peak form, doing traditional holiday tunes, as well as some surprises. One of the latter is Tony Bennett joining them for a unique version of "The Christmas Song," and another is a rendition of the Beatles' "Goodnight." As Mandel says in the liner notes, this is definitely a "different" holiday album. And that's a good thing. -- C.H.