Holiday Hi-Fi
Joe Martin
October 1, 1997
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Everywhere you go. Including the record stores. And where your ears are concerned, that's not necessarily glad tidings.
In years past a holiday album was a privilege of sorts, an artistic diversion that established artists allowed themselves well into their careers as a present to fans, and record labels (if cash registers clinked). But apparently quite a market for the things has developed since it seems nowadays as if everyone has been granted a license to add to the canon of Yuletide releases. The unfortunate result is a glut of uninspired Christmas collections, most consisting of forgettable renditions of the same old familiar "favorites." How many versions of "The Christmas Song" can there possibly be? You really don't want to know.
Come-lately carolers are no respecters of styles; this year's musical elves range from would-be white soul man Michael Bolton (newly shorn) and the salsafied vocals of Miami's Gloria Estefan to Christian faves Jars of Clay and the country fake-nostalgia of Wynonna and Naomi Judd. And just when you thought there couldn't possibly be a single star left in December who hasn't yet inflicted us with their Christmas spirit comes word from the street that pubescent pop trio Hanson (yikes!) will soon be putting their spin to the concept of the Christmas boys choir.
Grinching aside, there are exceptions, and merrily, more than a few. If you can manage to wade through the cd bins you'll discover plenty of excellent albums amid the retreads. So put on the headphones and grab yourself another eggnog. Here, in no particular order, is a primer on some of the more musically—and at times spiritually—satisfying soundtracks to the season.
Russ Taff, A ...
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