Christmas CD’s are a knotty affair: almost every successful artist is mandated to release one yuletide offering nowadays whether or not the set is birthed from the heart. The 2009 holiday season is different- some favorites bucked that trend and released quality, from-the-heart tunes that will jazz up the season.
2009 Holiday Music
Christmas From The Heart by David Archuleta
Accomplished and ambitious? David produces songs in English, Latin, Spanish and French, no less. Both fearless in depth and utilizing a breadth of choices, Archuleta brings his voice to life with orchestras, choirs, slow rhythms, and fast tempos. At the core of every song, arising with rich, gorgeous clarity and crisp, sharp definition out of the surrounding music is David Archuleta's velvety, smoky tenor.
The magnificent vocals and melodic interpretations that the precocious Archuleta perfects in this collection of songs touches one’s soul.
Christmas In The Heart by Bob Dylan
From a rising star to an old favorite, Bob Dylan warms the soul with his comforting and nostalgic way. And not just in a "it's getting to be late Fall, so let's get in the mood for Christmas" way. No, Dylan achieves this in a pure Americana kind of way. This is a Rockwell painting come to life, it is not some kind of ironic commentary on the past, it is a memorial to the past.
And surprisingly, there are no real low points. It is just raw and perfect from "Here Comes Santa Claus" to "Little Town of Bethlehem." It brings to mind a bright, white, hopeful day with logs on the fire, thoughts of ancestors passed on, and old dusty pictures that were never digitized. This feels like something old that turned up in a cross-country move.
2009 Holiday Downloads and Playlists
My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli's first-ever Christmas album was worth the wait. Using beauty and natural charm, Bocelli is in excellent form and the duets are equally impressive. Bocelli's ability to perform a wide variety of holiday music is not surprising considering his talent.
The operatic qualities of his voice lend themselves so well to "Angels We Have Heard on High.” In addition, "The Lord's Prayer" is wonderful as The Mormon Tabernacle Choir joins Bocelli; and "Adeste Fidelis" contributes greatly to the album with its lush musical arrangement.
Of course, there are songs for children, families and anyone to enjoy that are not quite so religious. Listen for a sublime version of "The Christmas Song" which Bocelli does with Natalie Cole as a duet; and "Jingle Bells" is performed with the voices of The Muppets. Bocelli sings "Blue Christmas" with such passion and Reba McEntire's vocals enhance "Blue Christmas" all the more.
There are even more songs that showcase wonderful duets. Mary J. Blige sounds great with Bocelli on "What Child Is This;" it's a major highlight of this CD. Katherine Jenkins provides excellent vocals to go with Bocelli's singing on "I Believe." Great!
This album is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a mixture of religious holiday music along with other Christmas songs that are more secular and playful.
Gold And Green by Sugarland
With five number one hits, three multi-platinum albums, and a prime time TV special, success certainly has been a close relative of Sugarland.
And like many country superstars, they have been lobbied by their record company to cut a seasonal effort as a stop-gap album in lieu of a brand new studio CD this year.
Yet, this duo has not treated this as a contractual CD. Rather, on this hybrid effort, they have invested five original tunes, some of which are among their most heartfelt compositions. Even when they tackle the seasonal chestnuts, they have endorsed their interpretations with innovative creativity.
Bursting the seams of genre classifications, these 10 cuts are made so much more interesting with doses of r & b, jazz, pop, country rock as well as even some traces of bluegrass.
2009 Best Holiday Albums
The 2009 holiday season is here. Instead of immediately picking up that old, dusty CD you have listened to since you were a child. sit back and mix it up with some new albums that will arouse the soul and make you feel good about the present. These artists dare and succeed at the Christmas music genre for this holiday season.
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