Ratings based on Amazon.com bestsellers and Santa Letter staff picks
#1.
Noel by Josh Groban The Grammy-nominated, twenty-something, pop-classical phenomenon's fourth studio album is an expertly accomplished entry to the holiday marketplace. Noël tackles the familiar sounds of holiday music with a charmingly eclectic array of guest vocalists and a wide range of material. The songs range from the sacred to the secular, while Groban--buoyed in spots by none other than the London Symphony Orchestra--soars in his duets with Brian McKnight, Faith Hill, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. |
#2.
Now That's What I Call Christmas! by Various Artists The title doesn't lie, even if it does sounds like a hyperbolic pitch from an old late-night cable TV ad. With 36 tracks of various genres spread over two discs, Now That's What I Call Christmas might be the best, most eclectic "value-plus" holiday record ever released, assuming your tastes embrace crooners such as Cole, Crosby, and Como, plus contemporary boy bands such as Boyz II Men, as well as the ubiquitous Britney Spears. |
#3.
A Christmas Celebration by Celtic Woman One of the more impressive things about A Christmas Celebration is its glowing immediacy. The record's rich vocals and colorful instrumentals create a concert-like setting, reprising the season's most loved hymns, carols, and pop standards, along with a Gaelic version of "That Night in Bethlehem." Unexpected numbers such as "Christmas Pipes" and "Carol of the Bells" (here led by the spirited fiddling of Mariread Nesbitt) only enhance an already engaging disc that finely weaves between the piety of classical music and the playfulness of pop. |
#4.
White Christmas by Martina McBride The multi platinum country music star, Martina McBride, continues to amaze the masses with her incredible talent and undeniable talent and undeniable talent and undeniable presence. In 2007 alone, she made appearance on American Idol, the Early Show, Regis and Kelly, and the View. Martina also visited the Today Show multiple times, opened the NBC 4th of July Special and was the subject of a 2 hour primetime special, Six Degrees of Martina McBide, that aired summer 07 an ABC. In addition to her TV appearance, Martina was the 2007 top country female touring act, and in all genres, second only to Gwen Stefani. |
#5.
Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories by Various Artists Even though it includes some of the same songs, this isn't the Time-Life Christmas collection advertised annually on TV. It's actually a budget version of that anthology, and not a bad deal at all. Some may argue it's missing the two Elvis Presley tracks found on the three-CD TV version. Others will contend that any self-respecting Christmas music aficionado probably already owns (or should own) Elvis's wonderful '57 Christmas Album. What's attractive about this one is it gathers a lot of classic singular performances in one place--a tad too much Bing Crosby, perhaps, but also the original hit versions of "Jingle Bell Rock," Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby," Burl Ives's "Holly Jolly Christmas," and the Drifters' "White Christmas" (the blueprint for Elvis's version). This is a terrific cross section of seasonal sounds. |
#6.
James Taylor at Christmas by James Taylor Combine the most beloved, classic songs of the holiday season with the warm baritone of one of the most recognized voices in popular music, and fans will have reason to celebrate with James Taylor at Christmas. This 12-track collection features traditional and contemporary seasonal songs. |
#7.
Now That's What I Call Christmas, Vol. 3 by Various Artists The title doesn't lie, even if it does sounds like a hyperbolic pitch from an old late-night cable TV ad.... |
#8.
A Very Special Christmas by Various Artists When was the last time you heard collard greens being sung about in a Christmas song? Probably never, unless you're a Run DMC fan, or were wise enough to hop on the Very Special Christmas tip. The rappers' contribution to this benefit collection is probably the highlight, although traditional songs covered by now-traditional artists like the Pretenders ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas") provide the majority of the material here. Eurythmics turn in a suitably chilly "Winter Wonderland," Stevie Nicks sings a beautifully haunting "Silent Night," and Whitney Houston proves again that she's every woman with "Do You Hear What I Hear"--that is, every woman with a voice strong enough to do the song justice... |
#9.
Let It Snow by Michael Buble Michael Buble's 'Let It Snow' is a must for this holiday season, as it combines his amazing vocals with a genuine warmth guarenteed to make any home more cozy during the holidays. |
#10.
Ultimate Christmas by Various Artists Ultimate Christmas ... rounds up Kings Nat and Elvis, sweater bearers Como and Mathis, Der Bingle, and Judy Garlands' original tragic version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." |
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