LITTLE ROCK — A song written by Joni Mitchell is becoming a modern Christmas favorite.
“River,” which was on her 1971 album Blue, is set near Christmas. In the song, Mitchell and her lover have broken up and her desire to be free of the emotional turmoil surfaces in the lyrics:
“I wish I had a river/I could skate away on,” she sings with great longing. “I wish I had a river so long I would teach my feet to fly.”
There are more than 200 versions of “River,” but in recent years it has been showing up on Christmas albums, including James Taylor’s At Christmas and Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong. Lea Michelle sang it on a 2011 Glee Christmas album.
This year, add Tracey Thorn, Cee Lo Green and Scala & Kolacny Brothers.
Christmas is in our sights, ready or not. So in the spirit of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” here are a dozen albums worth your consideration.
Celtic Woman, Home for Christmas, Manhattan
If you’re a fan of Celtic Woman,you already know what to expect - haunting and lovely lead vocals, mournful violin, luscious harmonies, beautiful orchestrations and classy song choices. Predictable, but lovely. The production and arrangements are rich, the vocals strong and heartfelt.
Hot tracks:
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Joy to the World” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”
Tracey Thorn, Tinsel and Lights, Merge
Tinsel and Lights may be the year’s best new holiday album.
Tracey Thorn (Everything But the Girl) has a voice tinged with melancholy and longing, which makes this album and its reflection of the season’s complex emotions, believable. She taps Mitchell’s “River” with great feeling and depth, along with songs by Randy Newman, Ron Sexsmith, Sufjan Stevens and Stephin Merritt.
Thorn has added two originals, including the stunning “Joy”: “You loved it as a kid/But now you need it more than you ever did.” And, “We’ll gather up our fears/ And face down all the coming years/And all that they destroy/And in their face we throw our joy.”
Hot tracks:
a splendid cover of Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas,” “Joy,” and Stevens’ “Sister Winter,” sung with heart and longing.
Cee Lo Green, Cee Lo’s Magic Moment, Elektra
Perhaps the most fun new Christmas release is this sassy and tender (especially on Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song”) offering by Cee Lo Green.
He rocks on the finger snappin’ “That’s What Christmas Means to Me,” which Stevie Wonder recorded in 1971. Green’s take on Mitchell’s“River” has a fuller, soulful arrangement. Green and The Voice colleague Christina Aguilera shine on “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” The teaming with The Muppets on “All I Need Is Love” is huge fun.
Hot tracks:
one of the best versions ever of Charles Brown’s doo-wopish “Please Come Home for Christmas.” “That’s What Christmas Means to Me,” “The Christmas Song,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
The Polyphonic Spree, Holidaydream: Sounds of the Holidays, Vol. 1, Good Records.
Need a break from the familiar? Polyphonic Spree is a choral pop/psychedelic group that is catchy and upbeat. Their recast of “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” has a slower, Sgt. Pepper-dreamy approach. Even “The Christmas Song” comes with a bit of whimsy, a little bombast.
“Silver Bells” and John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” echo The Beatles more majestically.
Hot tracks:
“Silver Bells,” “White Christmas,” a lovely “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Happy Xmas.”
Scotty McCreery, Christmas With Scotty McCreery, Mercury
American Idol contestant Scotty McCreery’s voice recalls early Randy Travis in its tone. “Let It Snow” has a nice western-swing feeling and hehandles the vocal adroitly. “Jingle Bells” has a loping tempo that fits McCreery well. On the spiritual side, he offers a touching “Mary Did You Know.”
McCreery’s album is predictable, but enjoyable. One surprise: a cool take on “Santa Claus Is Back in Town,” a bluesy rocker recorded by Elvis Presley in the late ’50s.
Hot tracks:
“Let It Snow,” “Santa Claus Is Back in Town.” Earnest Pugh, Christmas With Earnest Pugh and Friends, EPM
Contemporary gospel singer Earnest Pugh offers a joyous holiday album with a mix of secular and spiritual tunes. His spoken-word interludes include humor and devotional comments that enrich the experience.
Pugh’s superb voice soars in this gospel/R&B setting of familiar tunes such as “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Guests include Nikki Ross, Lisa Knowles, Quadrius Salters and Martha Buries.
Hot tracks:
“Ring Dem Bells,” “Silent Night,” “Walk in the Light.”
Various artists, A Very Special Christmas Deluxe Edition, Big Machine
This new recording benefits Special Olympics. Artists range from bands such as Train, Rascal Flatts and Cheap Trick to vocalists Vince Gill,Martina McBride and Jason Mraz.
This magazine-style release also has interviews with the artists.
Hot tracks:
Michael Buble’s charming “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” McBride’s bluesy and soulful “Please Come Home for Christmas,” Rascal Flatts’ “Mary Did You Know.”
Rita Coolidge, A Rita Coolidge Christmas, 429
Rita Coolidge has toured with Christmas shows for several years and her affection for the music and the holiday shines through here.
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a jazzy swing that works. “Santa Baby” brings out her teasing, romantic side and she taps the music of New Orleans for “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” An American Indian-inspired treatment of “Amazing Grace,” arranged by Coolidge, is stunning.
Hot tracks:
“Amazing Grace,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Circle of Light” (written by Rita and Priscilla Coolidge).
Edie Adams, The Edie Adams Christmas Album, Omnivore
Actress and comic Edie Adams got her break when she joined gifted comedian Ernie Kovacs’ TV series in 1951, where she also showed her prowess as a singer. Adams was classically trained and sang on the show, in musicals and nightclubs. Adams and Kovacs wed in 1954.
These 15 selections from Kovacs’ show feature cameos by Kovacs, adding a layer of humor on “Household Holiday Blues.” The songs were performed live, with piano accompaniment. While the sound quality isn’t the greatest, there is no denying the beauty of Adams’ voice and her creativity.
Hot tracks:
the jazzy “Winter Wonderland,” the sexy “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
Scala & Kolacny Brothers, December, Atco
Those who saw the trailer for The Social Network heard this Belgian group sing Radiohead’s “Creep.” The indie rock act is Steven and Stijn Kolacny and an all-female choir, Scala.
On December, the group’s eclectic program began with a Facebook request for alternative holiday tunes. Some 140 suggestions rolled in, reflecting the month of December as well as the holiday. The choir’s treatment of Joni Mitchell’s “River” is sweet and flows deep. Also memorable is the haunting “Did I Make the Most of Loving You” from PBS’ Downton Abbey.
Hot tracks:
The Band’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight,” “River,” Sarah McLachlan’s “Wintersong,” Steven Kolacny’s “Tears Can Sparkle Too.”
Various artists, Now That’s What I Call Today’s Christmas, EMI
This is the fifth Now That's What I Call Today's Christmas, with a mix of original songs and traditional material. Carly Rae Jepson of “Call Me, Maybe” fame sings the original “Mittens.” Also aboard are Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” and One Republic’s “ Christmas Without You.”
Hot tracks:
“Mittens,” Lady Gaga’s “White Christmas,” Sara Bareilles’ “Love Is Christmas.”
Various artists, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Justin Time
Jazz lovers will find much to entice them to this festive recording, with selections by singers Diana Krall and Hilary Kole, pianist Hank Jones and others. Most memorable is Quartango’s tango-inspired instrumental “Minuit Chretien/ O Holy Night.” It is so creative that you wish for more.
Hot tracks:
“Minuit Chretien/O Holy Night,” Kole’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” versions of “The Christmas Song” by Jones and Krall.
REISSUES
Legacy has added several titles to its “Classic Christmas Album” series - John Denver, Luther Vandross, Kenny G, Willie Nelson and Elvis Presley. Each artist has recorded several holiday albums and Christmas tunes on other albums. A number of these are no longer in print.
Think of each as a “best of” set of Christmas tunes.
Mandisa, It’s Christmas: Christmas Angel Edition, Sparrow
Mandisa - she of the big, big voice - covers a variety of musical genres on this updated version of her Christmas album, which adds two tunes, “Somebody’s Angel” and “It’s Christmas.”
Vince Guaraldi Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Concord
The haunting and lovely classic score for the TV special has been remastered and expanded. Bonus tunes are “Greensleeves,” “Great Pumpkin Waltz” and “Thanksgiving Theme.”
Style, Pages 49 on 11/25/2012