Sunday, November 30, 2008 | A+E, Music, Reviews
SP The 12 discs of Christmas

We sort through the season’s new releases so you don’t have to

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

’Tis the season for the annual glut of holiday music. And no matter how you celebrate the season, there’s literally something for everyone, with releases from everyone, from Aretha Franklin to Yo-Yo Ma. And as always, in the middle of the mainstream (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Josh Groban and Manheim Steamroller), a few really great gifts stand out. We’ve sorted through more naughty and nice holiday music than you’d want to hear in a lifetime in order to bring you our picks for the 12 best new items—including a few things you may not hear on the radio or see at the big-box retailer. If your friends are still listening to “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” or “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” give ’em one of these instead of another darn fruitcake or cookie tin.

1. The Boxmasters, “Christmas Cheer” (Vanguard): Bad Santa himself, Billy Bob Thornton, is the vocalist and main songwriter of the raucous country-rock hybrid the Boxmasters. Here, his distinctive vocals cut through a frosted (and slightly twisted) wonderland of rockin’ hillbilly anthems. Our pick for best new release of the season.  

2. Tony Bennett, “A Swingin’ Christmas” (Columbia): Bennett returns to the turntable with his first Christmas record in four decades, a lively and, yes, swingin’ set of seasonal standards with backing by the current version of the Count Basie Orchestra.

3. Johnny Cash and Friends, “Christmas” (Shout Factory): Four of the late legend’s holiday-themed TV specials are here in one enjoyable package. The charmingly dated mid-’70s production values add to the retro fun, and the decidedly unusual guest list includes Andy Kaufman, Steve Martin and the Rev. Billy Graham. 

4. Various Artists, “We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year” (Eagle): An impressive group of rock veterans—including Alice Cooper, Dave Grohl and Ronnie James Dio—offers their metallic take on seasonal favorites, with often-amusing, high-volume results.  

5. The Fleshtones, “Stocking Stuffer” (Yep Roc): Insanely catchy garage-rockin’ tunes from the longstanding New York outfit jingle and jangle with snare-slamming abandon.   

6. Sheryl Crow, “Home for the Holidays” (Hallmark): An exclusive offering from the Hallmark Gold Crown store, Crow’s radiant collection of standards and an outstanding new tune is well worth a trip to the card shop. 

7. Ray Charles, “The Spirit of Christmas” (Concord): Download fans can sneak a peek into the future as Concord Records unveils an extraordinary new series from Charles’ impressive, post-1960 canon of work, starting with this digital-only collection. The newly added bonus track, 1961’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” should warm the cockles of your iPod. 

8. Mary-Chapin Carpenter, “Come Darkness, Come Light—Twelve Songs of Christmas” (Zoe): Atlanta fave Carpenter’s new gathering of pensive country-folk is the perfect soundtrack for a still, silent night. 

9. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, “Jingle All The Way” (Rounder): Fleck’s eclectic banjo stylings are featured on this unique and joyous outing that includes an especially merry version of Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts-inspired “Linus And Lucy.”  

10.  Davy Jones, “It’s Christmas” (Self-released): A great little digital single direct from the cute Monkee’s headquarters in Beavertown, Pa., gleefully free of major-label hype.   

11. Gloria Gaynor, “Gloria Gaynor’s Christmas Presence” (Koch): Yes, even the “I Will Survive” diva has a Christmas album—and the soulful results are surprisingly good.  
 
12. Elvis Presley, “Christmas Duets” (RCA): Hey, it wouldn’t be Christmas without an Elvis record, and the folks at RCA continue to churn out the Presley product. Here, he’s posthumously paired with a stable of hot female singers including Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and Gretchen Wilson, proving that even in the afterlife, Elvis always gets the girls. And that’s quite a gift. SP