New 2010 Christmas Albums: 'Glee,' Mariah Carey, Lady Antebellum, Susan Boyle and more
Did you know Jessica Simpson, Indigo Girls and Wilson Phillips have something new for the holidays?
Mariah Carey's "Merry Christmas II You." Because her first one was "Merry Christmas." Get it?
Credit: Island
Another year, another slew of Christmas and holiday-themed albums. This year brings the “gift” of internet sensation Susan Boyle for a second time, while TV stars like “American Idol’s” Katharine McPhee, the cast from “Glee” and featured crooners from “The Sing Off” have their own crop.
Look for unusual takes on classics from ilk like Pink Martini and 11 Acorn Lane, and for Mariah Carey trying to top her own classic material.
Most Adult Contemporary and Adult Album stations that flip to Christmas music start around Thanksgiving: see if you can name songs from these artists as they come on.
“Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album” – Last Christmas, the shiny-faced kids from “Glee” brought us, well, “Last Christmas.” Considering the cast has released some of the best-selling songs this year from its second season, it only makes sense they cash in on some Christmas spirit. That previous song is on there, as is a k.d. lang-enhance “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and takes on classics from “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” to “god Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Several of these songs will be featured in – you guessed it – the “Glee” Christmas episode, to air on Dec. 5.
Mariah Carey, “Merry Christmas II You” – One of the singing diva’s biggest and most enduring tracks of all time is “All I Want For Christmas,” so we don’t blame her for trying to top it. With a different version of it. There’s a nicer, slower-burning version on here, plus four other originals co-penned by newly preggers Carey. “Oh Santa!” has been pushed as the single, with some traditional carols and cold-weather tunes buttressing it. There’s even a cute Vince Guiraldi “Charlie Brown Christmas” medley thrown in. Think more contemporary R&B than the sizzling Carey of late.
Susan Boyle, “The Gift” – This “Britain’s Got Talent” viral star made it onto airwaves and into stockings with her serene take on “Silent Night” last year. This year, she’s got a whole album devoted to inspirational and holiday tunes. It’s kind of rinky-dink, antiqued takes on the usual classics, with covers of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” thrown on there because why the hell not.
Jackie Evancho, “O Holy Night” -- To call Evancho a soprano is a little bit of a farce; guys, she's ten years old. She came to fame similarly to Boyle’s entry, that is, she was a mini-star on “America’s Got Talent,” back in August (she also released an album last year). “Night” sounds just how the cover looks.
The Priests, “Noel” – Your mom is gonna love this, and I don’t mean that entirely facetiously. The Priests are an opera/classical “crossover” like her pretend boyfriend Josh Groban only, like, three dudes. And their takes on these carols are actually very inspired and easy to listen to, with exception “Little Drummer Boy,” which is hilariously crafted after the Bing Crosby and David Bowie version.
Bryn Terfel, “Bryn’s Christmas” – Wagner, Mozart… “White Christmas.” This classical baritone is used to playing the villain in his operas, but gets tender for the holidays with only a couple tracks in German.
Pink Martini, “Joy to the World” – This is one big “duh” for a Christmas music matchup, as this jazz and pop music mini-big-band does it up classically and campy in eight different languages, with help from J-Pop star Saori Yuki and Ari Shapiro from NPR (?!). And the CD looks like a dang Christmas card, so cute. This reminds me – why hasn’t Nouvelle Vague or Brazilian Girls jumped on the Christmas Choo-choo?
Annie Lennox, “A Christmas Cornucopia” – Like Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox can’t help but to bad-ass up anything she touches, and has done so for decades. Her tenor-alto brings little jagged edges to songs like “Angels We Have Heard on High” and other, streaming on her site. And, hey, just today, Lennox premiered her video for “God Rest Ye Maerry Gentlemen,” which looks like an old-timey moving Christmas card.
Jessica Simpson, “Happy Christmas” – This is Simpson’s second try at a successful Christmas set, with 2004’s “Rejoyce: The Christmas Album” barely ringing any bells with its glitzy takes on holiday favorites. Willie Nelson shows up to help out on “Merry Christmas Baby,” the Simpson camp trying to further the impression she’s a country artist. Even if you don’t get the record, she’ll be unavoidable at this year’s televised Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony on NBC and at Macy’s stores everywhere.
“The Sing Off: Harmonies for the Holidays” – The second season of this NBC singing competition show starts in the first week of December, and thus comes with it a full set of all 10 competing groups taking on, y’know, harmonies. Get it? Thks for the mmrs, Straight No Chaser.
11 Acorn Lane, “Happy Holy Days” – There’s a lot of instruments on here. And a lot of styles. It’s very modern, and kind of a mess. But it’s a good change of pace if you’re tired of Bing, Manheim Steamroller and the rest.
The Puppini Sisters, “Christmas with the Puppini Sisters” – This is just plain cute.
Wilson Phillips, “Christmas in Harmony” – In some ways, this is just as much a kids’ Christmas Album. Very straightforward, upbeat, high-register, Christmas-lovin’ smiley-ness. Opening track “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” could sell some Walmart crap or some Radioshack stuff.
Train, “Shake Up Christmas” [Single] – Speaking of selling of stuff, this will be touting Coca-cola all season long.
Katharine McPhee, “Christmas Is the Time… (To Say I Love You)” – Thank you, Katharine McPhee for keeping it classy. This collection is mostly piano-led, with only a few modern flourishes on tracks like the title song and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve.”
Shelby Lynne, “Merry Christmas” – Sorry, Jessica, here’s where a taste of real country comes in handy. Lynne’s trill and some upright bass makes for a celebration.
Indigo Girls, “Holly Happy Days” - Amy Ray and Emily Saliers gracefully include a Hanukkah song and three originals in this 12-song recording, which is signature Indigo Girls top to finish. Another set that could have used “Harmony” in the title.
“Now That’s What I Call Christmas 4” – The mix of the usual pop artists (Britney, Rihanna, Lady Gaga) with the old classics (Frank, Bing, Elvis). Some new, mostly old, only if you’ve run out of your own ideas for a mix.
Lady Antebellum, “A Merry Little Christmas” [EP] – This year’s hottest country group put out this six-song set out exclusively via Target, and included one original “On This Winter’s Night” in the group. And wouldn’t you know? “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is on there too.
Take 6, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Sorry, “Glee,” Take 6 has been doing the vocal group thing for way longer. And “The Sing Off” better watch its tail. This Christian group gets creative, though it may be more cerebral than celebratory.
Celtic Thunder, “Celtic Thunder Christmas” – Yet another TV-bolstered, jazz-inflected vocal group, though this Irish group tackles more secular Christmas tunes than sacred. And, yes, they added a chick for “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
Aliqua, “All I Want” – Aaaaand this one’s all-female. This is far more choral-based than Glee club, but expect smooth takes with orchestral backings.
The Irreconcilables, “Merry Ex-Mas: Holiday Songs for the Divorced and Soon to Be” – “Frosty My Ex-Wife,” “Santa Claus Is Foolin’ Around,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas (My True Love Took From Me).” Sounds just how you think something like this would sound.
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November 10, 2010 at 8:26AM EST Reply to CommentI am finding this Jackie Evancho promotional craze an insult to the public from the music industry.I have never felt this way before, but lets review the facts.She did not sound very good before agt,sounds fairly good on agt with only some high notes,no lower registry,and then sounds awful on qvc after agt.The second disturbing fact was claimed when they said her voice would be proven at Carnegie with live orchestra. Some comments had predicted this would never come to pass. Publicity stunt to win agt and get contract. They would never subject her voice to a credible place like Carnegie. Well guess what as predicted its been canceled.I remember many of the old greats they proved themselves over many years.What do you call this. SEE IF WE CAN SELL TO THE UNTRAINED EAR.
DC Guess I'm one of the "unwashed" masses. I like her singing, but then, my poor "untrained ear" just hangs there on the side of my head with no real talent. Did read that David Foster likes her, but then he probably has an untrained ear too.
November 10, 2010 at 11:01AM ESTHarold
November 11, 2010 at 11:13AM EST Reply to CommentPfffftttt.....David Foster, what does he know??
He probably thinks people like Céline Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Sheena Easton, Kenny Rogers, Prince, Donna Summer, Faith Hill, Neil Diamond, Gordon Lightfoot, Earth Wind and Fire, Lionel Richie, Anne Murray, Olivia Newton-John, Julio Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Kenny Loggins, Natalie Cole, Michael Bublé, Chicago, Katharine McPhee, Paul Anka, Seal, Earth Wind and Fire, Bryan Adams, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Kelly Clarkson, Katherine Jenkins, Il Divo, The Canadian Tenors are good singers too.
DC great lineup!
November 14, 2010 at 12:54PM ESTTrancas Harold, you left out a few:
November 15, 2010 at 9:47PM ESTAll 4 One, Kenny G, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Charice, Gary Wright, Chaka Kahn, Lara Fabian, Ne Yo, Martina McBride, Reuben Studdart, Peter Cetera, Michael Johns, Brian McKnight, Renee Olstead, Cheryl Lynn, Boz Scaggs, Eric Benet, Kenny Edmonds, and Blake Shelton. I know I missed a few more. BTW, This is David Foster's verbatim introduction for Jackie Evancho at the David Foster & Friends: Hitman Returns concert at the Mandalay Bay on Oct. 15th:
“I’ll tell you - honest to God - In all my years of doing music - which is 45 years - I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like this - and I am not kidding. She has the voice of an angel. I hope you’re as excited as I am to witness firsthand the greatness of this beautiful child - Jackie Evancho.
Of course, there are others who just know better.
Trancas Oops, I listed Kenny G twice. Well, he and Charice were the only ones in both "Hitman" concerts.
November 15, 2010 at 9:49PM ESTTrancas
November 16, 2010 at 3:14AM EST Reply to CommentC, you've posted nearly these same words elsewhere. The telling sentence: "They would never subject her voice to a credible place like Carnegie." And "Some comments had predicted this would never come to pass". Those were your own comments. And "reviewing the facts". Sorry, you've presented no facts. Only your own specious opinion. But let's have a look at the cancelled Carnegie Hall appearance:
PRESENTED BY THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
TIM JANIS: THE AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CAROL
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage (Seating Chart)
Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 8 PM
Tickets from $40 - $60
The Program
Tim Janis
Chandler Lutz, Donald Braswell, Jim Cole, Sarah Darling, Wendy McPike, Emily Bear, Eli Mattson, and Lynn Witty, Vocalists
Jimmy Nichols, Music Director
Andy Hire and Kevin Cooper, Conductors
With Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Three Crosses Band
Rolland Smith, Host
Works by Tim Janis and Andrew J. Wight
Lisa Evancho has posted that because of the new contract considerations, and that perhaps Jackie's participation might well overshadow the other vocalists, it was decided reluctantly to withdraw Jackie from the concert.
Jackie's upcoming schedule:
Nov.16 - Official release of "O Holy Night" CD+DVD
Nov.16 - WPLJ Radio 8:45 AM (ET)
Nov.16 - QVC, "Great Gifts" segment, 5 PM (ET)
Nov.17 - QVC, 8-9AM, and 12PM (ET)
Nov.18 - NBC Today Show, 10AM (ET)
Nov.19 - Canada AM TV (awaiting more information)
Nov.27 - Pittsburgh "My Macy's" parade, 9AM (ET)
Nov.30 - Martha Stewart Show, 10AM (ET), Hallmark Channel
Nov.30 - Rockefeller Center, Lighting the Christmas tree, 7-9PM (ET) NBC
"NBC will celebrate the lighting of the world’s most famous Christmas tree once again with a live broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City on Tuesday, November 30 (8-9 p.m. ET/PT). The star-studded holiday special will feature performances by Susan Boyle, Mariah Carey, Charice, Sheryl Crow, Jackie Evancho, Josh Groban, Katherine Jenkins, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minogue, Jessica Simpson and The Radio City Rockettes with a mix of current hits and holiday classics."
Dec. 9 - National Christmas tree lighting, 5PM (ET)
Jan. 1 - National anthem, 2011 "Winter Classic", Heinz Field, 1PM (ET)
So, my dear "C", you are standing on a crumbling island, and the tide is ebbing. It's quite a trick she's pulled, being invited to participate in so many low-visibility venues. Jackie has also sung in the David Foster & Friends: Hitman Returns show with live orchestra, and David Foster playing piano for her. His comments I've listed below. You, of course, know better. It must be nice to be so smart.
November 16, 2010 at 5:46PM EST