HOLIDAY ALBUMS 2019

First impression of the 2019 holiday album releases? Such diversity with over 26 albums being released. This year I am going to do a series of blog posts on holiday music which will start being published on first day of December. Lets begin the season with the most unexpected holiday album I listened to in my lifetime. I never thought I would be writing about Rod Halford in my lifetime. His first and probably only holiday album of his career, titled Celestial is for the heavy-metal holiday junkie out there. I think this is the first time in all the years I’ve been writing this blog post, that I have actually highlighted a death metal or heavy-metal genre holiday album. Right off the bat I just have to say, “God rest ye you Merry Gentlemen” is probably the best song on the album and really does have a catchy hook when you translate it into the aesthetic of the Metal sound. His version of “Deck the Halls” is pretty much what you expect, when turning a traditional baroque song into a hard rock song.I will admit this the overall album has a rock opera album sound to it. My last take is was, who knew a song about Donner and Blitzen would make a perfect Headbanger song.

Heading to the Bahamas for Christmas, probably not. Chicago’s new holiday album which features the single “Here We Come A Caroling” is a bongo drum. Pretty much the whole album is just a repeater playing the same background tempo, while highlighting the Caribbean sound from song to song. To make the album worse, the tech who arranged the album, decided the best way to drown out the fact that a lot of the musicians in the band can’t really sing was to pump up the volume of the orchestra. My advice, pass on this album.

Big Band Holidays II from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is bag of crazy toys and sweet to the ears. Let's just start with a real big bang, his duet with Catherin Russell. “Cool Yule” is the real big band deal and must have in your holiday party list. What I love about this album, is that Winton Marsalis has some really great song duets on the album. Denzal Sinclaire’s “We Three Kings” perfect for your holiday dinner playlist. The album is a culmination of his holiday performances at Lincoln Center in New York City from 2015 to 2018. The album is follow up to his 2015 album by the same name and includes a whole new set of songs. This album has a lot alternative holiday tracks that usually don’t see like, “Everybody’s Waitin’ for: The Man With the Bag” featuring Veronica Swift joyful scatting. Marsalis take on “Snowfall” was interesting, he slowed down the song and gave it this real slow dance fell to it. Then there is the last song on the album and his crowning glory, “Silent Night” which I have give him a solid “A”! Featuring the smooth pipes of Denzal Sinclair and Audrey Shakir, another addition to my holiday playlist.

Lea Michelle holiday album starts out with a fun opening song but she unfortunately she chose to stick to the original Judy Garland arrangement from Meet Me in St. Louis. it just didn’t play well with her rasping tones she overdoes throughout the song. The highlights of this album were her accompaniments with Jonathan Groff and Darren Criss. For “I’ll be home for Christmas” I found myself getting annoyed when Jonathan Groff started sing a beautiful verse, Michelle slides right in front of him on the track. To be completely honest I would actually pay for a Jonathan Groff holiday album before buying this album. I found this album too full of gum drops and candy canes sweet and not enough substance. Maybe I’m just bitter from the glee days but it’s just too much of the same for me. Even her rendition of Kristen Bell’s “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” was annoying. To be honest, I think she’s just doing this album to get back on a Macys float. Here take on “Silent Night” is a sold C plus, I am only giving her that grade because of the coral backgrounds that were arranged into the song. There are some beautiful voices coming from the chorus but at several points in the song she comes out screaming not top of the choir vocal which kills the mood of the overall orchestration. My money is on Lea Michele being on a Thanksgiving day parade float this year.

Mariah Carey 25th Anniversary re-release of her Merry Christmas album is a vailed attempt to bank on the success of her hit single “All I Want For Christmas” which Carey co-wrote back 1993. There is not a lot to write about with this album. There are two remixes and a new version of Sugar plum fairy, that is aucapella, it's a big ol’ “meh”. Carey’s 2019 release includes 29 songs, including the original ten tracks from the first album. Her “Silent Night” would easily be in my top 20 list of all time for the song title. Thanks in part to the beautiful choral background. The second half of the album features several live versions of the albums original tracks. Honestly the tracks all sound like they were recorded back in the late 90s and early 2000s. Her original “Silent Night” was never a hit in my opinion and generous “B-“ in my opinion. That said, her live version at the Cathedral of St. John the Devine concert which took place after the release of the original album 25 years ago. This version 10 times better than the original album release. I would give the live version of “Silent Night” a bump up to “A-“ There are several new songs like “The Star” and “Lil Snowman” but the one that caught my eye was her duet with John Legend. I mean come on it’s John and this song will end up in a movie by next holiday season. “White Christmas Comes” is good holiday party background song.

Christian gospel singer, Phil Wickham’s new holiday album titled “Christmas” has some of my favorite surprise hits for the 2019 list. Behind synthesized sounds are some holiday staple songs.From the electronica version of “Star of Wonder” to his blues sound of “This Year for Christmas” which is an immediate playlist add for me. It has a laid-back soul sound that could easily be popped into a montage scene of a movie. The real meat on this album though goes to his beautiful vocals and country spin of “The Christmas Waltz”. The song was added to my playlist immediately and honestly it belongs in Apple TV commercial.



Idina Menzel is on fire yet again and this season her second holiday album is melting the snow of her 2014 holiday album. Giving Mariah Carey a run for her money in the season. Menzel is looking to capitalize on a doubleheader this holiday season. She is staring in Frozen 2 and has already been applauded with a whole new soundtrack for the film. “Miss Santa Claus” with Ariana Grande is just a fun song and will be a hit with multi generations. Then she takes it to church with “Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas”, literally! This song was soulful and joyful addition to the album. Bringing her story singing voice to the front of the song. Her duet with Billy Porter is a wonderful song but I just wish Billy came in a little bit sooner with the lyrics. Halfway through the song he finally shows up. “O Holy Night” is just beautiful, her smooth vocals just leaves you feeling calm and peaceful. There is a lot of big band sound through out the album and some fun duets. “At This Table” is an interesting addition to the album, a healing song and I added it to this years list pretty fast. The only song I am still questioning whether or not is really a Christmas song, is “Seasons of Love”. The jury is still out on that one.

If you’re a big fan of 1990 smooth jazz then look no further than Jonathan Butler’s new holiday album, Christmas Together. A lot of the songs have a great tempo and gives you a positive spin on the holiday season. Unfortunately lacking on this album are some stellar vocals. There are a handful of songs that do have vocals but for some reason the arrangement of the singers voice is either mixed incorrectly or just has a tin pan recording sound. A good example is the song “Love Is” which features vocals by Shalea. The background sound over powers the vocals greatly. The highlight of the album is definitely the last song, “Jingle Bells” featuring vocals by Butler and accompanied Kirk Whalhum.

Brynn Stanley delivers a solid holiday album this season. Titled Classic Christmas it has a lot of bright big band songs in the form of holiday standards. There are a few odd arrangements like “This Time of Year”. Regardless the album has a lot fun sounds for that holiday party background. I personally love and added to my playlist “Meet Me In The Middle” (featuring Slim Man). 

Ne-Yo has dealt us royal flush with his version of decking the halls this holiday season. The sound he present in this album is like enjoying a 11 course meal. The first four songs I immediately hit the heart button and added to my holiday list. From the fench horn in “Talk About It” to the classic “This Christmas” which a soulful new sound version. The album Another Kind of Christmas is the perfect title because this album takes holiday sound to a whole new level. After years of artists like Destiny Child or Jessie J doing their best to give holiday music a new life, Ne-Yo might have found there pot of gold this season. From Pop to Blues to Country this album samples it all. “Merry Christmas Baby” is a perfect example of how to take a classic tune and give it new life, even when it’s the blues. Even the 

A cappella version of “The Christmas Song” is such a shinning moment on the album. I think Mel Tormé, Robert Wells and Nat King Cole would be have happy grins with such a vision. Then to end with ReVaughb singing “Someday At Christmas” is the cherry on this holiday surprise. Best album of the season goes to Ne-Yo. I hope to see on the talk show circuit sharing this beauty. 

Robbie Williams showed up late this year with his The Christmas Present album. Robbie gives us a perfect 50/50 album, half of the album are standards for the holiday season but treats us to special one off songs. The arrangements for classics Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” and “The Christmas Song” are true classics. Then there is his original song “Coco’s Christmas Lullaby” named after his daughter Colette who was born last. The song features a beautiful child's choir. He carried the kids choir onto the next track “Rudolph” which is an interesting twist of the songs classic arrangement. The album is actually a disc set, with 28 songs on it. Williams brings his boy band roots to a few of the tracks on the second disc. “Merry Kissmas" and “Not Christmas” are perfect choreography songs for the holiday talent shows. But I think the strongest tracks on the album are his story tracks like “I Believe in Father Christmas”. Then there is show stopper songs like “Bad Sharon” that just fun to listen to while driving.

Danny Gokey Gives us a pretty decent holiday album. The album is built off his  2018 holiday single release duet with Natalie Gray “Saying the Prayer” which is a solid nod to Celine Dion and at Andre Bocelli‘s rendition for the 1990s. He does give us a “Silent Night” which I give a solid C+. Overall there is not a lot of fidelity over all of the album.  The hit song that will probably get them on a Macy’s parade float will certainly be “The Holidays Are Here”. A wonderful song with an upbeat sound. Safe? Well of course! Did I add anything to my playlist, sadly the answer is no!.

TobyMac single “All I Need for Christmas” is a duet with Terrian. The single has a great rhythm and certainly a hit for the radio. I could even see the sign being on a movie soundtrack next season. I added it to our holiday playlist, a top 10 for sure. 

Keb’ Mo’ new holiday album Moonlight, Mistletoe & You is filled with a bevy non-traditional song titles. His first holiday album, its a real fun listen to some unique choices. So if you are looking for a few songs to spice up your holiday rotation, this is your album. “Merry, Merry Christmas” is a good start, followed up with “Moonlight, Mistletoe & You”. A real treat on the album is Melissa Manchester singing with him on the track “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”, which I added to our holiday playlist. Overall the album definitely find its roots within the southern Bluegrass sound. “One more year with you” was the second song that I added to my album playlist.

I try to avoid re-releases On my yearly Christmas holiday music list. But this album has actually been on my holiday playlists for almost 20 years now. So I’ve decided to add a special entry for a peek into my holiday playlist or maybe it will be neat heavy rotation holidays. Natalie Cole’s Holly and Ivy album which was released back in 1994. The album is filled with wonderful holiday standards, including three songs that were originated by her father and Akiko. You’ll find the first two tracks of the albums were also on the 1994 movie soundtrack for the remake of Miracle on 34th Street. Which just happens to be my favorite version of the movie. Sorry not a big fan of the 1940s. One of my favorite songs that I hear every holiday season over and over is Natalie Cole’s Christmas Medley 

which combines jazz and top 40 as well as hips in one batch. Natalie Cole was quoted as saying that for most of her career she wanted to do a holiday album but she held out for almost 12 years. She wanted to do the album right, especially following her fathers amaing holiday catalog.  Another song that I play every year is her version of “Silent Night” which has a small choral accompaniment. Natalie‘s rendition of “The Christmas Song” which her father originated, is actually a pretty impressive fete. The only negative thing I could really say about it is I don’t like the electron a piano opening but overall it’s a beautiful song that she did such an amazing job on. It’s truly is sad to think she’s no longer with us, a loss of an amazing talent. We are blessed that we now have these amazing recordings that we can cherish forever.

Going back to the first two songs on the album, “Jingle Bells” and “Caroling, Caroling”. These two amazing songs are truly the hits on this album and equally so on the soundtrack for a Miracle on 34th Street. I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it and to be completely honest, it’s how I found Natalie Cole‘s album which I eventually purchased on CD. Sadly through my 20s it was one of the CD’s I sold to pay my rent. But thanks to Napster in 1999. I was able to bring this album back into my life, for free! I eventually purchased it on iTunes and 2000s and I have enjoyed many of the songs on this album in rotation as the years have passed.

Ana Gasteyer is making this Christmas season “so delightful“. You might recognize Anna from Saturday Night Live. Her this is not her first forte into Christmas. You might remember her from the hilarious SNL sketch series during the holiday season along with actress and comedian Molly Shannon. The duo pair as a radio home crafting talk show. Their characters Margret Jo and Terry have memorable holiday radio show with show guest Alec Baldwin who plays Pete Schweddy. The threesome decide to banter about holiday sweets and especially Pete’s Balls. Gasteyer’s album is a pure delight because it really encompass holiday standards with a comedic twist like her rat tat version of “Let It Snow! Let it Snow!”. Her comedic vocals pair nicely along with Maya Rudolph, also SNL alum, with their take on “Secret Santa” which takes on a Caribbean sound. That sound carries onto other songs like “Sleigh Ride”. One song that gave me Thanksgiving shivers was her song Blue Black Friday, which is add to this years holiday playlist. To crown of the album that is a top 5 this year for me, is Ana’s “Sugar and Booze” which she does offer a PG version. One last song to add to your playlist is “Nothing Rhymes with Christmas”. Chin Chin Ana on a wonderful Holiday Album. 

Sandra McCracken’s Christmas album is a simple sound of acoustic pleasure. Give the silently a solid B. Added all is well to playlist. I was happy to see that McCracken added “Go Tell It on the Mountain” to her album, not many artists use this holiday song but I am delighted to see it on album at least once each season. I’ve love this song because I remember it dearly on my parents Peter, Paul and Mary’s junior album In The Wind. Her duet with Josh Garrels “The Space Between” is a great song for the holiday season but I am elated to give her a “Solid B+” for her “Silent Night”. The coffee house band give the song a real folk sound.

One single I have to say is a must add to your holiday playlist is Kevin Max & Michael Tait’s “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas”. This song blew me out of the water when I found in the itunes store. 

Of course John Barrowman shows up at the last minute hour with a showstopper holiday album. And of course opens the album with a spectacular version of “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. I commented on John’s announcement of his album release on Instagram, suggesting that he hold onto it until the new year release but now he’s going to go for it. This is probably the longest holiday album review I’ve ever done. And Barrowman’s album is definitely not something you want to miss out on. The first single is show stopper but his second single “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” is a real treasure. I am posting this and I expect it to be amended on December 29th when the whole album is released.

HK5 10 Song To Add To Your Holiday Playlist

The Christmas Waltz - Phil Wickham

Silent Night - Big Band Holidays 2 with Winton Marsalis

Meet Me In The Middle - Brynne Stanley

Blue Black Friday - Ana Gasteyer

Have Yourself A Merry Christmas - Kevin Max

All I Need for Christmas - TobyMac

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - John Barrowman

Bad Sharon - Robbie Williams

Merry Xmas Everybody - Robbie Williams

Christmas Medley - Natalie Cole (1994)

That’s a close to 2019 and I am already excited for what is to come in 2020, another decade and another chapter of these lists. Check back on December 1st for a new series of posts for the holidays that are tailored around music.