SOUND CHECK.Byline: - By Rob Lowman, Sandra Barrera and Fred Shuster LEANN RIMES: ``What a Wonderful World'' (Curb) You really will get a sentimental feeling when Rimes delivers the swinging ``Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'' backed by members of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. The song is the kickoff to her 10-track holiday debut, which is a mix of classics - ``White Christmas A white Christmas, to most people in the Northern Hemisphere, refers to snowy weather on Christmas Day. This phenomenon is far more common in some countries than in others. ,'' ``What a Wonderful World'' and ``O Holy Night'' - and originals, including the blues scorcher scorch·er n. 1. One that scorches: an iron that was a scorcher. 2. Informal An extremely hot day. ``Just Love Me.'' VARIOUS: ``Reggae Pulse 4: Christmas Songs'' (Trojan/Sanctuary) The fourth in a series of compilations from the pioneering ska and reggae label, it features 14 bright, bouncy reworkings of holiday classics, such as ``The Christmas Song'' performed by Beres Hammond Beres Hammond (born Hugh Beresford Hammond, 28 August 1955, Annotto Bay, Saint Mary, Jamaica) is a reggae singer from Jamaica who is known in particular for his romantic lovers rock. While his career began in the 1970s, he reached his greatest success in the 1990s. . Freddie McGregor's vocals grace ``O Come All Ye Faithful,'' while Don Carlos and Glenice Spencer rock ``Jingle Bells.'' Includes newly recorded takes on Christmas favorites from the Mighty Diamonds, Culture and Dean Fraser. BARENAKED LADIES: ``Barenaked for the Holidays'' (Desperation) This 20-song set lines up such chestnuts as ``I Saw Three Ships,'' ``O Holy Night'' and ``I Have a Little Dreidel'' and hoses them down with this Canadian pop group's signature goofball goof·ball or goof ball n. A barbiturate or tranquilizer in the form of a pill, especially when taken for nonmedical purposes. approach. The laughs are highlighted by covers of ``Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'' and Band- Aid's Ethiopian charity single, ``Do They Know It's Christmas?'' VARIOUS: ``A Winter's Night: The Best of Nettwerk Christmas Albums'' (Nettwerk) Is there a better collection of pop stars getting into the holiday spirit? Jack Johnson, Ron Sexsmith and Dido are included on this 15-track set. Even snarling snarl 1 v. snarled, snarl·ing, snarls v.intr. 1. To growl viciously while baring the teeth. 2. To speak angrily or threateningly. v.tr. rocker Avril Lavigne waxes liturgical like a choir girl in a gorgeous duet with Chantal Kreviazuk on ``O Holy Night.'' The Barenaked Ladies offer up a jazzy jazz·y adj. jazz·i·er, jazz·i·est 1. Resembling jazz in form or nature; rhythmical. 2. Slang Showy; flashy: a jazzy car. rendition of ``God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,'' with Sarah McLachlan helping out on vocals. Be warned, though, the album includes the heartbreaking ``Cat Carol'' from Meryn Cadell. VARIOUS: ``Music From the O.C. Mix 3: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah'' (Warners) A compilation of music that will be heard on the special Dec. 16 episode of ``The O.C.,'' including ``Rock of Ages'' by Ben Kweller and ``Christmas Without You Is Best'' by the Long Winters. With other modern rock holiday offerings from the Raveonettes, Jimmy Eat World, Rooney, the Eels and more. BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA: ``Boogie Woogie Christmas'' (Surfdog) A reissue of the rockin' big-band favorite with a couple of new cuts, including a rave-up reading of Chuck Berry's ``Run Rudolph Run.'' The album was the most downloaded Christmas album on iTunes for one cool-yule week last year. CHRIS ISAAK: ``Chris Isaak Christmas'' (Warners) Hunky hun·ky 1 n. pl. hun·kies Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person, especially a laborer, from east-central Europe. crooner Isaak applies his reverb-laden pipes to ``Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,'' ``The Christmas Song'' and the always welcome ``Mele Kalikimaka'' in this neato holiday set. You'll love his ``Blue Christmas,'' but Isaak's bluesy original ``Washington Square'' has become a fast favorite around our tree. JAMES TAYLOR: ``A Christmas Album'' (Hallmark) Only Taylor could make ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' sound as singable as he did last October at a Red Sox World Series game. Here he gives an appealing holiday mix of both traditional and pop tunes, including ``The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),'' ``Go Tell It on the Mountain,'' a cool ``Baby It's Cold Outside,'' with Natalie Cole, and ``Auld Lang Syne Auld Lang Syne closing song of New Year’s Eve. [Music: Leach, 91] See : Farewell .'' Only available at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. EMMYLOU HARRIS: ``Light of the Stable'' (Warner/Rhino) Harris has added three new cuts to this country-tinged 1979 release, including ``Man Is an Island'' by the McGarrigle Sisters, who appear on the album and one by Beth Nielson Chapman, ``There's a Light.'' Appearing on the album are Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell, who wrote the song ``Angel Eyes,'' Dolly Parton par·ton n. Any of the point particles believed to be a constituent of hadrons, now known as quarks. No longer in technical use. [part(icle) + -on1.] , Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young and Willie Nelson. SOUNDTRACK: ``The Polar Express'' (Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) .) The six new holiday songs written by hit-making producer Glen Ballard and film composer Alan Silvestri are not instant classics, but they are pretty good compared to most new yule songs. Josh Groban sings on ``Believe,'' while Steve Tyler does ``Rockin' on Top of the World.'' The film's star Tom Hanks offers up ``Hot Chocolate.'' The rest of the album is filled with classics, like Bing Crosby doing ``White Christmas,'' Frank Sinatra on ``Santa Claus Is Coming to Town'' and Kate Smith on ``Silver Bells.'' TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHETRA: ``The Lost Christmas Eve'' (Lava) This is the third in the band's holiday trilogy, this time about heaven's youngest angel who is sent to Earth to continue Jesus' unfinished work. The project was conceived and co-composed by producer Paul O'Neill (Aerosmith, Savatage). The music ranges from guitar-driven rock to youth choirs with some classical and pop thrown in that bring to mind a rock musical like ``Jesus Christ Superstar.'' MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: ``Christmas Celebration'' (American Gramphone) This is a sort of greatest holiday hits package for Chip Davis, the man behind the neo-classical electronic music of Mannheim. Included here are two variations on ``God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,'' as well as ``Deck the Halls'' and ``The Carol of the Bells "Carol of the Bells" (also known as the "Ukrainian Bell Carol") was adapted from "Shchedryk" by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych, which was first performed in December 1916 by students at Kiev University. .'' VARIOUS: ``A John Waters Christmas'' (New Line) Lowbrow moviemaker mov·ie·mak·er n. One that makes movies, especially professionally. mov  ie·mak John Waters wishes you a ``rotten, scary, sexy, biracial bi·ra·cial adj. 1. Of, for, or consisting of members of two races. 2. Having parents of two different races. bi·ra , ludicrous, happy little Christmas'' in this set of bent Christmas classics from the likes of Tiny Tim, Alvin & the Chipmunks and Fat Daddy. Our fave fave Informal n. One that is preferred above others or likely to win; a favorite. adj. Favorite. [Short for favorite.] : ``Happy Birthday Jesus'' by Little Cindy. SOUNDTRACK: ``Christmas With the Kranks'' (Hollywood) This comp brings forth such classics as Elvis' ``Blue Christmas'' and the Ramones' ``Merry Christmas,'' along with readings of seasonal gems newly retooled. Standouts include Steven Van Zandt of ``Sopranos'' 'n' Springsteen fame in a winning workup work·up n. Abbr. w/u A thorough medical examination for diagnostic purposes. of ``Frosty the Snowman'' by the Charms, while local heroes Davie Allan & the Arrows interpret ``Feliz Navidad.'' CAPTION(S): 15 photos Photo: (1) LEANN RIMES Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com (2 -- 15) no caption (CD covers) |
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