Title: Happy Xmas (Bushbranch Records / Surfdog Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Clapton
Tell me more: On his first-ever full-length holiday album, Eric Clapton has pulled off the masterful feat of recording an album that will sound in tune with any season. There is a warmth and authenticity across Happy Xmas where the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist has matched his time-honed baritone vocals and signature guitar work with the spirit of the holiday season. Clapton has taken his mastery of the blues and found a way to reinterpret the traditional likes of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" and bona fide classics like "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night" into a cohesive and sterling collection of festive offerings. Clapton makes many of the tracks his own; the soulful "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday," Chicago blues-flavored "Christmas Tears" and breezy folk rocker "Home for the Holidays" are early nuggets on the LP; a genre-defying instrumental arrangement of "Jingle Bells" the exhilarating "It's Christmas" and baroque blues nugget "Sentimental Moments" are late disc standouts. In addition to Clapton's stellar talents, an all-star backing band featuring bassist Nathan East (Fourplay, Toto), drummer Jim Keltner (Ringo Starr, John Lennon, the Traveling Wilburys), guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, fiddler Dirk Powell and others join the wonderful proceedings along the way. Eric Clapton has added an original song to the mix; the poignant "For Love On Christmas Day" is a beautiful and timely ballad that speaks to so many in its collective hope for a more caring world. Information: Surfdog.com.
Title: Christmas Party (Rhino Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Monkees, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Buck
Tell me more: Capturing the magic of the Monkees' most beloved recordings of the 1960s and fusing that with the energy of contemporary power pop, Christmas Party features a mix of classic seasonal favorites, artful remakes and newly-penned songs that make for one of the most inviting sets of the season. Gems fill this sparkling collection; the Andy Partridge-penned "Unwrap You At Christmas" is bolstered by a sweet string section and soaring vocals from Micky Dolenz. Michael Nesmith's affecting vocals add just the right moodscape to a wistful cover of Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song." A shimmering cover of the Alex Chilton-penned Big Star classic "Jesus Christ" and lush version of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" are reworked enough to make them essential. Several of the late Davy Jones' vocal tracks are used on the disc, including a lovely "Silver Bells." Peter Tork uses his rich baritone and skills on the banjo in a poignant Americana-styled version of "Angels We Have Heard On High." Among this writer's favorite tracks are the instantly-infectious "What Would Santa Do," a melodic rocker written by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo that takes a playful swipe at those who can't get into the Christmas spirit; "House of Broken Gingerbread" is another killer new cut (this one penned by album producer Adam Schlesinger and Michael Chabon), a potent and tuneful modern rocker. Information: monkees.com.
Title: Reason For The Season (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: The Beach Boys, Hanson, Mike Love
Tell me more: Beach Boys lead singer and co-founder Mike Love has released Reason For The Season, a stocking stuffer-worthy dozen-track collection of Christmas classics and newly-penned songs. Hightlights on the tuneful set include the joyful title track and melodic "Must Be Christmas" (the latter featuring Love joining forces with several of his children). The feel of the album is buoyant and will put the listener in a good mood, a happy outcome that draws immediate comparisons to the magic of listening to the Beach Boys. The good tidings include the spirited "Celestial Celebration," "Finally It's Christmas" (featuring Hanson), "Away in the Manger" (which recalls the magic of the Ray Conniff Singers) and gorgeous "O Holy Night." Information: TheBeachBoys.com.
Title: Shatner Claus – The Christmas Album (Cleopatra Records)
You might like if you enjoy: William Shatner, Billy Gibbons, Elliot Easton
Tell me more: Roll over Ebenezer Scrooge and tell the Grinch the news. William Shatner's iconic style of dramatic spoken word is used to entertaining effect on the aptly-titled Shatner Claus – The Christmas Album. On this 14-track collection, Shatner is joined by a wide-ranging field of musical guests who add sonic firepower to the wonderful set of reworked Christmas classics. On "Blue Christmas," Shatner shares lead vocals with Brad Paisley; this take is particularly effective with Paisley's sweet vocals and virtuoso guitar licks enhancing the countrified version. The freewheeling "Winter Wonderland" is a fun-filled romp with guitar great Todd Rundgren adding some dynamic lead and rhythm fretwork. Shatner joins forces with Cars lead guitarist Elliot Easton on a rollicking '50s-styled "Run Rudolph Run." Shatner is more serious on the potent "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," his resonant spoken word layered amidst Rick Wakeman's keyboards and Samantha May's lovely soprano. Shatner and Iggy Pop team up for a tender symphony-draped "Silent Night." And it's hard to think of a more entertaining take on "Twas the Night Before Christmas" than Shatner's colorful reading heard here. Information: WilliamShatner.com.
Robert Kinsler
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