ajc.com 2008 Holiday Guide

Santa's got a brand new bag — of holiday CDs, that is:

• "Miss Patti's Christmas," Patti LaBelle. Def Soul.

Def Soul (ENLARGE)

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis co-wrote the four original songs on Patti LaBelle's fourth holiday album.

Razor & Tie (ENLARGE)

The biggest '80s heavy metal bands bang out the usual suspects, but put the kids to bed before playing 'Naughty Naughty Christmas.'

Show Dog Nashville (ENLARGE)

Toby Keith covers the classics in this two-disc set.

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When it comes to Christmas music, full-bodied vocalist LaBelle is almost as experienced as the jolly fat man himself.

On her fourth holiday album, the high-octave diva is back in the Yuletide spirit with "Miss Patti's Christmas," an R&B assortment of both contemporary and traditional holiday tunes that are as smooth as a glass of eggnog.

The warmest chestnuts here are the groovy gospel original "Nativity," a funktastic remake of the Emotions' 1978 ditty "What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?" and a bold but unnecessary rendition of "Away in a Manager."

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced the album's 10 tracks and co-wrote the four original songs, including the catchy tree-decorating anthem "Christmas Jam." The powerhouse music makers have infused "Miss Patti's Christmas" with more soulful ivory tickling than spirited sleigh bells ringing, leaving these Christmas songs feeling surprisingly unconventional.

Beware: The cozy arrangements and LaBelle's silky sounds may put you in the mood for making love rather than making a gingerbread house.

• "Marshmallow World & Other Holiday Favorites," Raul Malo. New Door Records.

Any artist's challenge in recording a Christmas album is to sing the same songs everybody else sings and somehow make them stand out. With a lot of voice, plenty of talent and a nice sprinkle of wit, Malo succeeds impressively.

The wit starts with the title song, an old Dean Martin tune offered up with a lot of the Dino sound left in it.

The voice takes over on a rendition of "Silent Night" that leaves you wanting more of that soaring tenor. It returns, more secularly, in "I'll Be Home For Christmas" with a shuffle arrangement from half a century ago.

For variety, he gives up a jazzy "Jingle Bells," finger snaps his way through "White Christmas" with just a bass and a flute accompaniment and serves a bluesy "Santa Claus is Back in Town" that leaves Elvis in the dust. Malo also reprises his days fronting the Mavericks with a mariachi-intensive "Feliz Navidad."

Then there's "Silver Bells." Before you yawn over another rendition of Santa's big scene, remember the wit. This one's a tango with a scat bridge thrown in.

And lest you thought he was getting all too serious, he wraps up with 49 seconds of "Winter Wonderland" — whistled to a ukulele accompaniment.

• "My Holiday," Mindy Smith. Vanguard Records.

It would be challenging to find a sweeter voice for a seasonal album than Mindy Smith on "My Holiday," but she and co-producer Steve Buckingham prove it's possible by adding a couple of equally sweet ones for a delightful, acoustic-driven collection of holiday standards and delightful new tunes.

She pairs up with the equally angelic voices of Alison Krauss on "Away in a Manger" and Chely Wright on "Follow the Shepherd Home," a lovely song co-written by Smith and Wright that's not exactly Christmas, but has the makings of becoming a standard.

Smith barely hints at her country roots on a bluesy "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" but quickly returns to them with Paul Franklin's haunting pedal steel on "Silver Bells," then gently rocks with her composition "Come Around" on a disc that spotlights her vocal variety.

Equally listenable are Smith's interpretations of Wright's catchy "It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)" and the nostalgic "Santa Will Find You" by Wright and Smith, which offers hope for a merry holiday. This album assures it.

• "What a Wonderful Time," Yolanda Adams. Columbia.

Yolanda Adams trades her R&B flavored-gospel stylings for jazz balladry on this album — and sounds like she's having a wonderful time.

Adams has always had the range and interpretive abilities to match any jazz singer. On this album, she also has the backing of a great producer in Maxx Frank. Frank whips up a big band feel on "Jingle Bells" and "What a Wonderful Time" that's matched only by the largesse of Adams' voice.

It does seem Adams lacks in the scatting department, though. Her attempts during the playful title track sound forced, but Adams' fanciful lyrics save the day. She opts for banter about the lack of snow in Houston instead of scatting on the swinging "Jingle Bells," which comes off a bit cutesy. Adams returns to "Little Drummer Boy" (she covered it on her 2000 release "Christmas with Yolanda Adams"). Her increased vocal maturity and a Broadwaylike arrangement with rock and gospel accents make for an even more passionate version this time around.

Adams heartfelt original "With God" is written from Mary's point of view and expresses her unyielding faith upon learning she's been chosen to birth the Christ. It's a powerful word of encouragement that will resonate with all believers.

• "A Classic Christmas," Toby Keith. Show Dog Nashville.

On Keith's second foray into singing songs associated with Christmas, the country artist breaks no new ground, preferring instead to hold the line with the favorites that have been played in stores and living rooms from Maine to California.

Just about everything is on the two-disc set, from "Let It Snow" to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The songs have a nice twang, a lively beat and are reminiscent of a country-and-western two-step, and that's just fine.

The only real complaint is the decision to make this a two-disc set: There's no need for that. The 20 tracks come in at just about an hour in length, a span that would fit easily on just one compact disc.

Otherwise, the album is a solid effort, mixing Keith's free and easy spirited singing and good country sounds into a homey holiday mix.

• "Monster Ballads Xmas," Various artists. Razor & Tie.

Dudes! Dig those zebra-striped bandannas out of storage, mousse up what hair you have left, and head-bang along to some of the biggest '80s heavy metal bands putting their unique stamp on Christmas classics.

Continuing the success of Twisted Sister's "A Twisted Christmas" last year, which set the standard against which all future hard rock Christmas albums will be measured, "Monster Ballads Xmas" is co-produced by Twisted guitarist Jay Jay French and includes the band's duet with metal diva Lita Ford on "I'll Be Home For Christmas."

Skid Row offers a straight-ahead rock rendition of "Jingle Bells," and Queensryche's Geoff Tate wails with holiday fervor on "White Christmas." L.A. Guns offers a throwback rendition of "Run Rudolph Run" and Firehouse (remember them?) put some much-needed backbone into "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree."

Danger Danger's "Naughty Naughty Christmas" is the one track you might not want to play for the kids. A nice addition is Stryper's live version of "Winter Wonderland," which is still one of the best metal Christmas tunes ever.

Perhaps the biggest name on this disc, Billy Idol, turns in the weakest track with "Christmas Love," which is nothing to give a rebel yell about.

• "The Flesh Eating Rollerskate Holiday Joyride." Psychostick. Rock Ridge Music.

If the title of this deviation from the typical holiday fare makes you chuckle like I did, it may be worth a listen for the humorous oddity it is.

Psychostick answers the call of metalhead humbugs everywhere with "The Flesh Eating Rollerskate Holiday Joyride," a punishing assault on holiday cheer — mainly through their angst over phony "good will to all men" sentiments and the consumerism that runs wild at this time of year.

Titles like "Holiday Hate," "Jingle Bell Metal" and "Jolly Old Sadist" give you an idea of the tongue-in-cheek nature of the proceedings. After all, these comedic thrash rockers did name their debut disc "We Didn't Know What to Call It."

Rounding out a slew of original tracks is an uproariously funny — complete with wholly unprintable title — ode to ringing in the New Year with resolutions we never live up to.

• "Christmas With You," Rick Springfield. Gomer Records.

The best vocalists (Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley) make yuletide standards seem new again — or produce their own classics, as Mariah Carey did with "All I Want for Christmas."

Rick Springfield is not one of those singers.

Springfield displayed endless charisma on the 1981 hit "Jessie's Girl" — and today, sends hearts aflutter as Dr. Noah Drake on "General Hospital." Still, he shows none of that spark with this holiday collection.

The theme of the 15-song disc is "Christmas in Malibu" — a nice idea, conjuring images of cozy beachside gatherings. Harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys are fun flourishes to "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Away in the Manger"; but the songs could be more effective were it not for Springfield's husky vocal style, which lacks the something extra needed to punch up holiday fare.