Artist: Sting
Album: “If On a Winter’s Night…”
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Sting’s 2006 album “Songs from the Labyrinth,” Renaissance-era music.
Tell Me More: “If On a Winter’s Night…” is not a traditional holiday collection.
Indeed, anyone hoping to hear cheerful, accessible versions of well-known Christmas carols would be better served getting Andrea Bocelli’s “My Christmas” or David Archuleta’s “Christmas from the Heart.”
Sting’s thoughtful and introspective look at his self-admitted “favourite season” is as much about reflection as celebration. Against a sonic backdrop of acoustic guitar, cello, violin, organ, harp and an assortment of other instruments is positioned Sting’s voice in a decidedly-hushed and probing tone across most of the album.
Whether delivering his own sparse tale of lost romance (“The Hounds of Winter”), a stunning version of the traditional “The Snow It Melts the Soonest” or a remarkable selection boasting his lyrics set to J.S. Bach’s music (“You Only Cross My Mind in Winter”), his voice retains its distinctive tone even while rarely singing with force or in the upper part of his range.
The fact that Sting continues to break new musical ground even while simultaneously conjuring up sounds that filled the air hundreds of years ago, is a gift worth sharing this season.
What about the packaging? “If On a Winter’s Night…” is available as a single-disc CD that comes in a digipak complete with a fully-illustrated booklet. The release has also been issued as a deluxe CD/DVD available from Amazon.com that comes with a hardbound book and a bonus track “Blake’s Cradle Song.” The DVD included in that deluxe edition features an interview with Sting and has behind-the-scenes footage surrounding the holiday-minded project.
Get "If on a Winters Night" here
Artist: Bob BennettAlbum: “Christmastide”
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Early Bruce Cockburn; Bob Bennett’s 2002 album “The View from Here” and his 1997 album “Small Graces.”
Tell Me More: Although singer-songwriter Bob Bennett has been a celebrated voice on the contemporary Christian music scene since 1979, he waited until 2009 to release his first full-length Christmas album.
“Christmastide” is a wonderful 13-track collection that provides a winning mix of intelligent originals, artful instrumental material and reworked traditional gems such as “The First Noel” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
Of the originals the long-time Southern California resident penned for the disc, the thoughtful “It May Not Have Been December,” “December MIA” and “Both Sides” all showcase his sterling skills as a songwriter.
Those looking for a bit of traditional fare in their holiday time listening will be fully impressed with Bennett’s emotive voice and its guaranteed power to bring newfound power to “I Saw Three Ships.”
What about the packaging? “Christmastide” comes in a simple but beautiful single disc digipak format.
Recommended tracks to download: The lovely “Brightest and Best,” his own “It May Not Have Been December” and “Both Things,” as well as a superb arrangement of “I Saw Three Ships.”
Get Bob Bennett Here
Artist: Various Artists: Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals and others
Album: “A Christmas Gift for You”
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Early 1960s pop music and Phil Spector’s so-called “Wall Of Sound” production style.
Tell Me More: Although many casual listeners might not recognize the Philles Records label even when pressed, there is clearly a much better chance they will recognize at least some of the songs featured on the latest reissue of “A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records.” First released in 1963, the album was repackaged and retitled as “Phil Spector’s Christmas Album” and released on the Beatles’ Apple Records in 1972. Although it was then a 9-year-old recording, it rocketed to #6 on the Billboard 200 and has since enjoyed a status as one of those eternal “must hears” around the holidays.
Now more than 45 years after its original release, Sony Music has issued the 13-track collection as a CD renamed “A Christmas Gift for You.” This is a joyous collection, with the distinctive voices of Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans showcased on timeless versions of standards familiar to young and old. And the famed group of players backing the singers – known as “The Wrecking Crew” – includes drummer Hal Blaine, pianist Leon Russell, guitarist Tommy Tedesco and others.
Produced by Phil Spector, “A Christmas Gift for You” sounds fantastic and the performances are as cheerful and merry as when audiences first heard them in the early ‘60s.
What about the packaging? “A Christmas Gift for You” comes in a standard jewel case. However, don’t forget to check out the wonderful 16-page booklet featuring a wealth of photos, the original LP liner notes and details about the historic project.
Recommended tracks to download: “White Christmas” (performed by Darlene Love), “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (The Crystals), “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (The Ronettes).
Get "A Christmas Gift For You" Here
Artist: TJR
Album: “The TJR Christmas Card”
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Gary Hoey’s holiday releases, guitarist Richard LaForge’s “Coloring Trees” CD.
Tell Me More: TJR is the latest is a line of talented artists from the Orange County music scene who have issued Christmas-minded collections.
However, his aptly-titled “The TJR Christmas Card” is the first such CD that doubles as an actual card.
The colorful and festive packaging is equaled by the music itself, a collection of reworked instrumental versions of chestnuts such as “The First Noel,” “Joy to the World” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” In addition, TJR offers up an original song in tune with the season and his geographic home. “Christmas in California” boasts a Randy Newman approach, with the winning mix of melodic keyboards and lyrical description capturing the holiday season in the Southland.
What about the packaging? “The TJR Christmas Card” is a wonderful CD and Christmas card packaged rolled into one. Simply open up the card (the cover features a colorful illustration of a snowman rocking out and holding an iPod) and you can write a personalized Christmas message to a favorite family member or friend.
Recommended tracks to download: “Christmas in California,” “The First Noel.”
Get "The TJR Christmas Card" here
Under the radar: With my deadline bumping up precariously close to the holidays, I didn’t have time to fully listen to all the new Christmas albums sent me in December. However, I did want to at least mention a few other releases worth checking out.
Anyone wondering whatever happened to Ritchie Blackmore since he left Deep Purple in the 1990s should check out the sixth and latest release from the Blackmore’s Night, the 12-track “Winter Carols.” This is a holiday-minded collection that offers up Renaissance-inspired versions of Christmas favorites such as “I Saw Three Ships” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” as well as the new original song “Christmas Eve.”
The recording blends orchestral arrangements, Renaissance instrumentation, Blackmore’s virtuoso guitar mastery and wonderful vocals from Candice Night.
You can purchase the album and listen to samples on Amazon.com.
Get "Winter Carols" Here
Although Bruce Cockburn’s “Christmas” was released in 1993, it was thankfully re-released in December 2009. It is among my favorite collections of Christmas music, and that will come as no surprise since the talented Canadian singer-songwriter is one of my favorite artists.
The 15-track disc is available from Amazon for a mere $10.99, or individual tracks can be downloaded for 99 cents. If you don’t get the album (but please do!), at least download Cockburn’s version of “I Saw Three Ships” and “Down in Yon Forest.”
Get Bruce Cockburn's "Christmas" Here
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