Best new Christmas music - Sun

7
Kid Michael’s voice is so powerful that it’s overwhelming and
when it soars, as in “Someday at Christmas,” it’s inspiring. If
you’re looking to feel that childhood Christmas feeling again, you
know the one, you can’t do better than listening to him belt out
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” He sings it with an unbounded playfulness and a passion beyond his years. It made me
want to jump up and play in some snow. ****1/2 out of 5 stars.
It’s Christmastime and several famous musicians,
some expectedly (Neil Diamond) and others surprisingly
(Bob Dylan), have released new albums for the season.
Here are some thoughts to help you find the right gifts
and leave the turkeys on the shelves.
By MATTHEW PARRISH
mparrish@sungazette.com
Sting — “If On a Winter’s Night ... ”
Sting’s self-seriousness is heavy enough to bring any party down but his saving grace is the emotional depth of his voice. And here, sometimes that’s enough. “Gabriel’s Message” makes you want to
sit by Sting’s fire, sipping hot chocolate and listening to him croon all night, but the atmosphere-killing
African rhythm of “There is No Rose of Such Virtue,” combined with Sting’s ridiculously
paced delivery, make you want to see what’s going on at the neighbor’s house. The best way
to approach this one is to listen to clips on Amazon.com and download the promising songs.
As a whole, this record’s just too much drear and not enough cheer. **1/2 out of five stars.
Bob Dylan — “Christmas in the Heart”
Oh, Bob, you’re so silly. Kind of like the anti-Sting, Dylan is having a lot of fun here and
it’s easy to partake. His gravelly voice is rough enough to keep these traditional arrangements interesting but not so distracting that it kills the mood. Grab a drink, put this one
on and you’ll laugh and sing the whole way through. **** out of five stars.
Andrea Bocelli — “My Christmas”
This is probably the perfect Christmas record. The songs are traditional enough to
play while baking cookies, moving enough to make Christmas important and fun
enough to keep spirits high (the muppets do make an appearance after all). Bocelli’s
“Silent Night” will leave you speechless. ***** out of 5 stars.
Neil Diamond — “Cherry Cherry Christmas”
As expected, Diamond cranks up the cheese for, in his words, “pretty amazing grace,
if you know what I mean.” If that’s your thing, by all means, indulge. But I’ve never
really desired to hear a lounge-singer Christmas. ** out of 5 stars.
Michael McDonald —
“This Christmas”
Christmas isn’t supposed to be sexy,
is it? McDonald gets all Barry White
on us here but neither his bellowing
nor his “funk” fit the holiday mood.
Most of these songs are dead on
arrival, particularly the ‘80s-sounding,
Frank Stallone reject “Come, O Come
Emanuel/What Month Was Jesus
Born.” * out of 5 stars.
Sugarland —
“Gold and Green”
Jennifer Nettles was born to make a
Christmas album. She sings as if she
believes and cares about every word, no
easy thing when you’re singing songs that
have been recorded a bazillion times. Her joy
and sincerity, along with her cushy voice,
make for a Christmas experience you want
to live in. ***1/2 out of 5 stars.
David Archuleta —
“Christmas from the Heart”
Mild, sweet Christmas tunes. Nothing here is terrible but none
of it is exciting either. Archuleta can’t match Bocelli for emotive
power, Dylan for fun or the Jacksons for inspiration. He’s got a
nice voice but that’s not enough. **1/2 out of 5 stars.
•••••••••••••••••••
Download these now:
Andrea Bocelli – “Silent Night”
Jackson 5 – “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
Bob Dylan – “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
Sugarland – “Little Wood Guitar”
Sting – “Gabriel’s Message”
Thursday, December 3, 2009, Williamsport Sun-Gazette
6
Thursday, December 3, 2009, Williamsport Sun-Gazette
Jackson 5 —
“Ultimate Christmas Collection”