Straight No Chaser - Christmas Cheers [MP3]

Straight No Chaser - Christmas Cheers. Once again, Straight No Chaser, the all male acapella group formed by students from Indiana University, has come out with a CD chock full of toe tapping tunes. With fifteen selections to choose from, there is something for just about everyone. Admittedly, the title Christmas Cheers gives a good idea of the particular type of music one might expect to find. Still, not all pieces are the typical type of holiday schlock. Fans of this talented group expect no less.

"We Three Kings" is a well known tune, but the SNC arrangement is unique. I like this a lot. The opening notes are a nice combination of jazz mixed with James Bond style themes. While this is much more fast paced than the original tune, it's bouncy and fun. Soloists Ryan Ahlwardt, Charlie Mechling, and Jerome Collins stand out as each tells what gift he brings to the child in the manger. Hearing the others in the background is a nice touch.

A sweet song can be heard when one listens to "Christmastime Is Here". Most will recognize it as the song which makes watching Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang remember a more spiritual meaning of Christmas a yearly ritual. There is not a soloist, but that actually works better for the song.

"The Christmas Can-Can" is delightful. An original piece, there is a hastiness about it which perfectly reflects how people tend to run around frantically trying to complete their holiday tasks. The guys are also quick to remind their listeners about the other holidays which take place in December.

One of my favorites is "Who Spiked the Eggnog?". Awlwardt is again a soloist, which is a delightful choice. It's easy to imagine consuming far too much of the thick drink when alcohol has been added. Hearing the question of whodunit as the guys attempt to name the culprit is a fun romp.

Straight No Chaser - Christmas Cheers Tracklist

www.amazon.com

1. The Christmas Can-Can     2:41
2. We Three Kings     2:31
3. Christmastime Is Here     2:18
4. Let It Snow     3:01
5. Donde Esta Santa Claus     2:29
6. I'll Be Home For Christmas     3:04
7. Hey Santa!     2:46
8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer     2:21
9. You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch     2:53
10. O Holy Night     3:09
11. Santa Claus Is Back In Town     2:37
12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen     2:35
13. Jingle Bells     2:04
14. Who Spiked The Eggnog?     2:05
15. The 12 Days Of Christmas 2:58

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve And Other Stories [MP3]

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve And Other Stories. Despite their penchant for re-envisioning traditional Christmas carols, this band is anything but traditional. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra was formed in 1996 by Paul O'Neill, Jon Oliva, and Robert Kinkel. The band seeks to break down the boundaries of the traditional rock opera in order to tell a story with elements of Broadway, R & B, and stadium rock. Christmas Eve and Other Stories was released in 1996, so given the seasonal nature of the band, this was likely their debut album. Yet the utilization of the most accomplished musical virtuosos and ultra-slick recording techniques have rendered this album as professional as any veteran rockstar's comeback record.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve And Other Stories Tracklist 

www.amazon.com

1. An Angel Came Down (LP Version)     3:52
2. O Come All Ye Faithful/ O Holy Night [Instrumental]     4:19
3. A Star To Follow (LP Version)     3:49
4. First Snow [Instrumental]     3:52
5. The Silent Nutcracker [Instrumental]     2:22
6. A Mad Russian's Christmas [Instrumental]     4:42
7. The Prince Of Peace (LP Version)     3:32
8. Christmas/ Sarajevo 12/24 [Instrumental]     3:25
9. Good King Joy (LP Version)     6:35
10. Ornament (LP Version)     3:37
11. The First Noel [Instrumental]     0:55
12. Old City Bar (LP Version)     6:17
13. Promises To Keep (LP Version)     2:41
14. This Christmas Day (LP Version)     4:20
15. An Angel Returned (LP Version)     3:52
16. O Holy Night (LP Version)     2:39
17. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (LP Version)

Various artists - Big Christmas Box [MP3]

Various artists - Big Christmas Box. The Amazon MP3 store offers downloads of Various Artists' Big Christmas Box MP3 Album for 99 cents. That's the lowest price we could find for this 280-track, DRM-free holiday album, released today. Amazon MP3 Downloader is required.

Various artists - Big Christmas Box Tracklist

www.amazon.com

1. Carol of the Advent     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     0:49
2. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     2:43
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing     Bornand Music Box*     1:51
4. Rise Up, Shepherds, and Follow     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     1:19
5. Silent Night, Holy Night     Bornand Music Box*     2:03
6. Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     2:42
7. Ave Maria     Bornand Music Box*     1:59
8. Angels We Have Heard on High     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     1:46
9. O Sanctissima     Bornand Music Box*     0:56
10. What Child is This?     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     2:05
11. O Come O Come Emmanuel     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     2:43
12. The First Noel     Bornand Music Box*     1:49
13. Joy to the World     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     1:16
14. Adeste Fideles     Bornand Music Box*     2:02
15. Adeste Fideles     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     2:08
16. Away in a Manger     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     1:40
17. O Tannenbaum     Bornand Music Box*     2:21
18. The Carol of the Angels     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     2:58
19. Chimes of the Trinity     Bornand Music Box*     1:32
20. Good King Wenceslas     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     1:48
21. Jingle Bells     Bornand Music Box*     1:44
22. I Wonder As I Wander     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     2:54
23. O Little Town of Bethlehem     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     2:18
24. The First Noel     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     3:13
25. Auld Lang Syne     Bornand Music Box*     2:22
26. Deck the Hall     Canterbury Choristers & Dr. Newell B. Wright     1:01
27. Pat-a-pan     Alfred Deller, Desmond Dupré, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo, Desmond Dupré, Gerald English, Stanley Taylor, Deller Consort & Alfred Deller     1:00
28. Hymn: We Three Kings of Orient     Alfred Deller, Desmond Dupré & Stanley Taylor     3:58
29. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     2:05
30. The Coventry Carol     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     2:23
31. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear     Alfred Deller, Desmond Dupré & Stanley Taylor     2:25
32. Good King Wenceslas     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     2:46
33. Once in Royal David's City     Alfred Deller, Desmond Dupré & Stanley Taylor     2:38
34. Rocking (Hajej, nynjej)     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     1:32
35. The First Nowell     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     4:02
36. God Rest on You Merry, Gentlemen     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     3:08
37. Wither's Rocking Hymn     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     2:26
38. Silent Night     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     2:55
39. Wassail Song     Alfred Deller, Desmond Dupré & Stanley Taylor     1:33
40. Dormi Jesu!     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     1:26
41. Boar's Head Carol     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     1:47
42. Past Three A Clock     Alfred Deller, Desmond Dupré & Stanley Taylor     1:55
43. Lullay My Liking     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     2:44
44. Adam Lay Ybounden     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     1:14
45. Herrick's Carol     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     1:40
46. Angelus ad Virginem     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     1:47
47. The Holly and the Ivy     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     2:45
48. O Little One Sweet     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     2:41
49. Song of the Nuns of Chester     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     2:29
50. Winter-Rose     Alfred Deller, Desmond Dupré & Stanley Taylor     2:26
51. In Dulci Jubilo     Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, April Cantelo & Gerald English     3:30
52. Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle     Martha Schlamme     2:03
53. Voyage     Martha Schlamme     5:27
54. Noel nouvelet     Martha Schlamme     2:42
55. Noel     Martha Schlamme     3:21
56. Boutons nos habit les plus beaux     Martha Schlamme     2:53
57. Le March des Rois     Martha Schlamme     3:05
58. Carillon     Martha Schlamme     3:47
59. Noel provencal     Martha Schlamme     2:37
60. Noel de Strasbourg     Martha Schlamme     2:52
61. Fanne courage, le dibale a mort     Martha Schlamme     4:19
62. Noel poitevin     Martha Schlamme     2:24
63. O du Froliche     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:21
64. In dulci jubilo     Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:20
65. Weinactsglocken ("Susser die Glocken nie klingen")     Erich Kunz, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:24
66. Christkindl Wiegenlied ("Es wird scho glei dumpa")     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:39
67. Die blume Jesses ("Est ist ein Reis enstprungen")     Erich Kunz, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:23
68. Dirtenied an der krippe ("Still, still, weil's Kindlein schlafen will")     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:09
69. Das Christkind ("Alle Jahre wieder")     Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     1:22
70. Ein altes Marienlied ("Maria durch ein Dornwald ging")     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:19
71. Das himmlische Alleluja ("Es hat sich halt eröffnet")     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     1:46
72. Die Kinder bei der Krippe ("Ihr Kinderlein kommet")     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:15
73. Christkindleins Wiegenlied ("O Jesulein zart")     Erich Kunz, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:09
74. Die frohe Kunde ("Vom Himmel Hoch")     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:18
75. Kindelwiegen ("Josef, lieber Josef mein")     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     3:25
76. Susani     Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:10
77. "O Tannenbaum"     Erich Kunz, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     1:47
78. Maria auf dem Berge ("Auf dem Berge, da geht der Wind")     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     1:23
79. Geistliches Echolied ("Als ich bei meine Schefen wacht")     Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     1:35
80. Die heilige Nacht (Stille Nacht)     Erich Kunz, Mozartsangerknaben, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra & Erich Swarzbauer     2:43
81. O Come, All Ye Faithful     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     6:26
82. The Shepherd's Carol     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     2:49
83. Organ with state trumpets     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     0:53
84. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     3:14
85. Entrance Hymn: "Trisagion"     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     2:53
86. The Beatitudes     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     3:15
87. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     3:22
88. Ninefold Alleluia, Announcement of the Holy Gospel, Organ Respond     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     1:43
89. Sanctus and Benedictus     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     5:10
90. Communion Anthem: "To Thy Heavenly Banquet"     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     3:25
91. "Hodie Christus Natus Est"     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     2:52
92. "O Magnum Mysterium"     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     5:11
93. Organ improvisation     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     0:33
94. The First Nowell     Cathedral of St. John the Divine Cathedral Choir, Richard Westerburg, Cathedral Boys Choir & David Pizzaro     5:52
95. Deck the Halls     Deller Consort     1:11
96. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing     Deller Consort     2:04
97. Lute-book Lullaby     Deller Consort     2:20
98. Ye Shepherds     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     1:54
99. Joy to the World     Deller Consort     1:38
100. Down in Yon Forest     Deller Consort     2:31
101. Carol tune: People Look East     Deller Consort     2:02
102. Blessed Be That Maid Mary     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     1:32
103. Sir Christmas     Deller Consort     2:59
104. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming     Deller Consort     2:26
105. O Come, All Ye Faithful     Deller Consort     2:55
106. The Twelve Days of Christmas     Deller Consort     2:46
107. Here We Come A-Wassailing     Deller Consort     2:36
108. All My Heart This Night Rejoices     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     2:44
109. Joseph Dearest     Deller Consort     5:56
110. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In     Alfred Deller & Desmond Dupré     2:21
111. How Far Is It To Bethlehem?     Deller Consort     3:10
112. The Birds     Deller Consort     1:12
113. The Old Year Now (Greensleeves)     Deller Consort     2:04
114. A Merry Christmas     Deller Consort     1:37
115. Concerto Grosso, Op.6, No. 8, "Christmas"     I Soloisti di Zagreb & Antonio Janigro     13:47     Album Only    
116. Three Chorales: Fro, Heaven Above to Earth I Come     I Soloisti di Zagreb & Antonio Janigro     1:24
117. Three Chorales: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring     I Soloisti di Zagreb & Antonio Janigro     3:23
118. Three Chorales: Praise God, the Lord, ye Sons of Men     I Soloisti di Zagreb & Antonio Janigro     1:22
119. Toy Symphony: I: Allegro     I Soloisti di Zagreb & Antonio Janigro     4:30
120. Toy Symphony: II: Menuetto - Trio - Menuetto     I Soloisti di Zagreb & Antonio Janigro     4:09
121. Toy Symphony: III: Finale     I Soloisti di Zagreb & Antonio Janigro     1:26
122. Pastoral Concerto for the Nativity, Op 8, No. 6     I Soloisti di Zagreb & Antonio Janigro     7:32     Album Only    
123. Jak jai krasne/Pujdem spolu do Betlema/Nastal nam den vesely/Rada bych vedela/Nad Betleman hvezdicka/Pastryi (Snih bily pada)     Children's Choir of Radio Prague, Ensemble Pro Arte Antique of Prague & Dr. Bohumil Kulinski     8:52     Album Only    
124. Vesele vanocni hody/Co to znamena/Ukolebavka Jezultku/Hajej nynej/Slyste, slyste pastuskove     Children's Choir of Radio Prague, Ensemble Pro Arte Antique of Prague & Dr. Bohumil Kulinski     8:40     Album Only    
125. Nesem vam noviny/Vstavej Janku/Vanocni zvony/Pospeame/Vshuru bratri mili/Eidli, fidli/ Hraji dudy/zadudej dudacku/Narodil se Kristus Pan     Children's Choir of Radio Prague, Ensemble Pro Arte Antique of Prague & Dr. Bohumil Kulinski     8:23     Album Only    
126. Warod nocnej cixzy/Aniol pasterzom mowil'/Hej, hej, lilija     Children's Choir of Radio Prague, Ensemble Pro Arte Antique of Prague & Dr. Bohumil Kulinski     6:11
127. Prybiezeli do Belejem/Nismasz, ci niemasz/Triumfy krola niebieskiego     Children's Choir of Radio Prague, Ensemble Pro Arte Antique of Prague & Dr. Bohumil Kulinski     5:16
128. Bog sie rodzi/Gdy sie Chrystus rodzi/Dlaczegoz dzisiaj wsrod nocy dnieje     Children's Choir of Radio Prague, Ensemble Pro Arte Antique of Prague & Dr. Bohumil Kulinski     6:18
129. Lulajze Jezuniu/W Betlejem miescie /Hey, bracia!     Children's Choir of Radio Prague, Ensemble Pro Arte Antique of Prague & Dr. Bohumil Kulinski     6:45
130. Gymel     Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     1:12
131. Nowell, nowell: Tidings true     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     4:04
132. Sanctus     Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     1:42
133. Blessed be Thou, Heavenly Queen     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     2:03
134. Qui natus est     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     3:56
135. Burden and Carol     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     4:57
136. Nova! nova!     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     2:09
137. Angelus ad virginem     Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     1:05
138. Hail, Mary full of grace     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     3:42
139. In die nativitas     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     3:39
140. There is no rose of such virtue     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     3:10
141. Kyrie     Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     2:41
142. Quid petis o fili     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     10:15     Album Only    
143. Carol: I saw     Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     0:55
144. Nowell, nowell: Out of your sleep     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     2:37
145. Fauxbourdon     Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     1:28
146. Quam pulchra es     Robert Tear, Honor Sheppard, Mark Deller, Alfred Deller, Maurice Bevan, Vienna Musica Antiqua & René Clemencic     2:38
147. Sleep My Little One     Roland Hayes & Reginald Boardman     2:05
148. D'ou Viens-tu, Bergere     Roland Hayes & Reginald Boardman     2:17
149. Waken, O Shepherds     Roland Hayes & Reginald Boardman     1:11
150. Twas in the Moon of Winter-time     Roland Hayes & Reginald Boardman     1:56

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Rod Stewart - Merry Christmas, Baby [MP3]

Rod Stewart - Merry Christmas, Baby [MP3]. Even if Rod Stewart's aura of self-regard has sullied your enjoyment of his hits, you'd have to be a grinch to deny his vocal gift. As a deceptively straightforward rocker with the Faces, Stewart merged the disparate techniques of Sam Cooke and Mick Jagger to grand, if short-lived, effect, and his first half-dozen solo albums excelled in both songwriting and song selection while expanding his interpretive range and further emphasizing the debt to Cooke. Over the past decade, Stewart's pitch to aging boomers has included several entries in the Great American Songbook series, throughout which, if the material occasionally outmatched him, the singer distinguished himself from other reformed rockers as a credible almost-crooner.

The Christmas album is, of course, perilous territory, even for real crooners, and that Stewart emerges from Merry Christmas, Baby relatively unscathed should earn him a moment under the mistletoe with the Kardashian of his choice. Verve chairman David Foster, who serves as arranger and producer, demonstrates laudable discernment in choosing the album's 13 songs, and the same goes for the requisite cameos: Cee Lo Green, Mary J. Blige, and Trombone Shorty provide little boosts of energy to Stewart along the way. On "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," supported by unobtrustive strings and a gently picked acoustic guitar, Stewart invokes some of Louis Armstrong's phlegm on low notes at the end of phrases. As ever, the singer goes beyond mere rote to deliver each lyric with sensitive distinction: Even as the chords of "White Christmas" wooze into one another, aided and abetted by strings and a jazzy electric guitar, Stewart himself sounds grounded. Meanwhile, the two rhythm n' blues-iest songs, the title track and "Red-Suited Superman," recall in admirable fashion the soul-hit heyday of ABC-Paramount in the mid '60s.

The boldest move on a generally safe album is a virtual duet with Ella Fitzgerald on "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Fitzgerald's portions are incorporated in snatches so as not to upstage Stewart, whom otherwise she would outclass by a country mile. The Rat-Pack-once-removed fugue with Michael Bublé on "Winter Wonderland" is an awkward arrangement (Stewart and Bublé should stick with the harmonies), and Stewart's upper-range vibrato sometimes betrays affectations that the rest of the album labors to disguise. The album's high point is "Merry Christmas, Baby," a paean to December spending that Cee Lo enlivens considerably over brass and well-mixed wah-guitar. Stewart's Cooke playacting is very effective here, while Trombone Shorty adds helpful riffs and vocals alike. (Say what you will of Shorty's cameo promiscuity, he's rarely an unwelcome presence.) The arrangement is rather too glitzed-up with horns, but 'tis the season to forgive tinsel, and it's really the rhythm that asserts itself. In context, the song is an anachronism, but unlike Stewart's "Silent Night," it doesn't feel like a newly minted dollar bill crumpled to achieve the effect of age. It's also one of only two songs that shouldn't come with a matching wool sweater.

Rod Stewart – Merry Christmas Baby Tracklist

www.amazon.com

1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. Winter Wonderland
4. White Christmas
5. Merry Christmas, Baby
6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
7. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
8. Blue Christmas
9. Red-Suited Super Man
10. When You Wish Upon A Star
11. We Three Kings
12. Silent Night
13. Auld Lang Syne