On the record: The best festive tunes

Dec 21 2009 By Polly Weeks

What's hot and what's not in this week's new releases.

Various Artists - It's Christmas Time: The Ultimate Festive Collection

This three-CD package is chock-full of Christmas pop classics. Disc one is steeped in the Christmas pop tune heyday of the 1970s and '80s. Frankie Goes To Hollywood's The Power Of Love opens proceedings, and is followed up by Slade, Status Quo and Band Aid, plus hits from Dina Carroll, Michael Ball and The Shadows. The second disc will keep teenagers happy with tracks from Lady Gaga (Christmas Tree), Gabriella Cilmi (Warm This Christmas) and McFly (Deck The Halls). The final disc is filled with traditional classics. From Bing Crosby and Judy Garland to Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5, it will add a touch of warmth to winter's chill. A strong collection which has something for everyone.

Rating: 7/10

Ronan Keating - Winter Songs

Boyzone singer Ronan Keating has had a tough year with the sad passing of his bandmate Stephen Gately. Keating attempts to finish the year on a better note with a solo release. While it would've been easy to release an album of cheaply-produced tracks, Ronan has clearly put a lot of effort and care into the release. There is a touching dedication to Gately, whose vocals can be heard on Keating's rendition of Little Drummer Boy - which is an album highlight. It's the traditional Christmas tunes which show off Keating's vocal ability. Silent Night and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas are strong songs with great supporting instrumentation. Simple songs, done well.

Rating: 8/10

Jethro Tull - The Jethro Tull Christmas Album

This double album from the veteran experimental rock band will prove to be a hit with fans. The first disc is a re-release of Jethro Tull's 2003 Christmas album, which features lead singer Ian Anderson and co storming through traditional hits such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, together with their own material including Birthday Card At Christmas and Last Man At The Party. The second disc is a recording of their December 2008 charity concert at St Bride's Church in London, and is full of Christmas tunes (including the majority of the tracks from the Christmas album). The performance is full of festive cheer and, with readings from Anderson and an introduction from Rev George Pitcher, it's a traditional Christmas musical offering.

Rating: 8/10

Various Artists - Christmas With The Stars

This is a great Christmas compilation, and you'll be hard-pushed to find a better one out there. Rather than pop tunes, it's got classics from Nat King Cole, Vera Lynn, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin and Bing Crosby. Tunes from The Beach Boys (Little Saint Nick and We Three Kings Of Orient Are) are about as recent as the hits get. Even though the otherwise ubiquitous Band Aid charity hit isn't on the album, you don't feel like you're missing out in the slightest. The quality of the tunes shine through from start to finish on this double album. Perfect for listening to while serving up Christmas dinner and opening presents by the tree, this album will have you feeling the Yuletide spirit from the moment you press play.

Rating: 9/10

Bob Dylan - Christmas In The Heart

And the award for the most bizarre Christmas album of the year award goes to Mr Bob Dylan. There's something rather creepy about the opening track Here Comes Santa Claus - imagine Dylan's trademark vocal style put to use on one of the most sugar-coated Christmas songs out there. Like witnessing the shopping-centre Father Christmas swigging a bottle of cheap whisky on his break, it's somewhat disturbing. This mood continues on the next couple of tracks Do You Hear What I Hear? and Winter Wonderland. Once you're used to the style of the album, it's a bit easier to digest and it stops being so shocking. It's great that he's still prepared to take risks with his releases. But still, it's just really odd.

Rating: 6/10

Various Artists - Now That's What I Call Xmas

With 60 Christmas tunes, this three-disc release features many of the popular festive classics. Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, Wizzard's I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday and Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody are all on the album, as are tunes from Cliff Richard and Aled Jones. Imagine walking into a high-street shop a week before Christmas and what you'd expect to be pumping out over the tannoy. This album is the soundtrack to Christmas shopping. It will fill some with joy, while others will come out in a cold sweat and quickly hope it comes to an end. This album maybe predictable, but given that Christmas comes but once a year, there's nothing wrong with it.

Rating: 7/10

Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody

Noddy and co are responsible for one of the most memorable Christmas songs ever, and this album celebrates the fact. There are several festive tunes on this album - as well as the title track, the Black Country favourites sing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Here's To The New Year. The album also has a selection of party hits including the Okey Cokey, Let's Dance and other tunes which brought them fame, such as Cum On Feel The Noize. This is clearly the perfect time for Slade to release this album. And while there are many other options out there, anyone who was a fan of the band several decades ago will be more than happy with this release.

Rating: 7/10

Neil Diamond - A Cherry Cherry Christmas

The silky sounds of Neil Diamond are clear for all to hear on his Christmas album. It's not ground-breaking and probably won't appeal to those who aren't fans of his to begin with, but it does offer something that little bit comforting. If the winter skies do open up and we have a white Christmas, then this could be the album you want to listen to - especially if you can find a pub with an open fire. As he sings through White Christmas, Deck The Halls, Joy To The World and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, it's a rather pleasant listen.

Rating: 6/10

Andrea Bocelli - My Christmas

Italian classical maestro Andrea Bocelli releases his own take on Christmas hits. It's a good, solid album and will prove to be a hit with both classical music fans as well as those wanting a more relaxed Christmas album. For the most it's him, a piano and some delicate strings. As well as traditional songs such as Angels We Have Heard On High and Adeste Fideles, there are contemporary tunes including Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Jingle Bells, which bizarrely features The Muppets. Highlights include The Christmas Song with Natalie Cole and the beautiful The Lord's Prayer with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Rating: 7/10

Beardsmith - A Family Christmas

This Nantwich family won GMTV's version of X Factor and were rewarded with a record deal with Universal Records. This Christmas release is just as predictable as you'd expect. The six Beardsmiths run through Christmas hits including Good King Wenceslas, Deck The Halls and Silent Night, mustering as much enthusiasm as possible. Well, as much as you could expect from a group who know they'll more than likely be dropped after this one novelty release. The family are able musicians, but at times the release is lacklustre. Everything from the song choices to the artwork screams 'Going through the motions'. Unless you're a family friend of the band, it's probably best to give this album a miss and buy a better alternative.

Rating: 5/10