Tree Trimming Tunes
Truth be told it’s slimmer pickings than usual this year for holiday music…but it’s tradition here on the CGG to share with you what’s set to be spinning on any holiday music channel (and perhaps on your MP3 player), so here’s a quick recap!
From L to R, Top to Bottom
Kylie Christmas
Aussie pop legend Kylie Minogue has finally thrown her hat into the holiday game with her first ever collection of Christmas classics (and her 13th studio album overall!) With surprising collaborations with the likes of Iggy Pop and night show host James Corden, it’s primarily filled with holiday classics like Winter Wonderland and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (which borrows Frank Sinatra’s smokey voice), but there are a bunch of new, original songs as well that are just as cheerful and festive. Huge Kylie fan? There’s also a deluxe version
Rockin’ Rudolph by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Looking for an old-timey holiday album that’s also totally fresh to your ears? Pick up this jazzy option, which makes for great background music when sipping on holiday cocktails and egg nog. Featuring 12 different fun tunes that mix rockabilly, swing, jazz, and standards, you’ll love the rockin’ takes on favourite carols like Carol of the Bells and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Bonus points for some out there fare like Yabba Dabba Yuletide, a Flintstones-y holiday tune.
Today Is Christmas by Leann Rimes
Believe it or not, country crooner Leann Rimes actually just released a holiday album last year – but apparently she’s filled with the holiday spirit again with this latest offering. Her original songs are actually all pretty good – they may not have that ear wormy quality of your favourite holiday classics, but they’re plenty enjoyable to listen to when cruising through a snowy day or wrapping gifts. With this much focus on the holidays, Rimes also digs deep into the carol trove, bringing to life lesser-known tracks like We Need A Little Christmas and Must Be Santa.
Christmas Is Here by Danny Gokey
American Idol alum Danny Gokey has carved out a nice Clay Aiken-ish niche for himself, crafting albums that’ll primarily appeal to those who like a little easy with their listening. So naturally he’d tackle holiday music at some point. This 10-track holiday album doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, but features plenty of lovely, clear takes on holiday standards like White Christmas and What Christmas Means to Me. Given Gokey’s ties to Christian pop, there’s also a few spiritual tunes in the mix.
A Jann Arden Christmas
Canadian music legend Jann Arden doesn’t dabble one bit in original tracks – it’s all about lovely versions of your favourite holiday tracks. The standout ones tend to be uptempo – like opener It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and a medley of Jingle Bells / Santa Claus is Coming to Town – where Arden taps into a more swingy, big band sound. It’s a festive pick whether you’re shopping for a Jann Arden fan or anyone who just wants some new holiday voices in their home.
Christmas in Tahoe by Train
The year’s most offbeat choice by far for Christmas music is Train’s to be released offering. Admittedly I am a nerdy fan of their Coca Cola-sponsored holiday anthem ‘Shake Up The Happiness’ (dude knows how to write a hook) so I’m most curious about this one, which covers lesser-known, unexpected, poppier Christmas tunes like Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody and Joni Mitchell’s River. Fair warning now – be prepared for any of their festive takes to get stuck in your head for days!
This is one of only a few bonus entries up for grabs this holiday season so seize it dear readers! Nab an extra entry into my Black & Decker giveaway that kicked off yesterday by telling me below – which holiday album would you be most delighted to give a spin this holiday season?
Canadian Gift Guide 
The Jann Arden album would be nice.
I love Leann Rimes voice – it would be my pick.
Train for sure I’ve seen them twice in concert
I’m a huge Jann Arden fan
I’ve never heard of Frina Setzer, but I’m going to go look him up. It looks like my style. I think my favourite of all of these might be the train album, I’m a big train fan.
Oh my Brian Setzer, boy do I need to proof read.
I love Jann Arden. I am glad to hear she has a Christmas album.
I’d pick Jann Arden.
Here’s my pick: “Rockin’ Rudolph” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Cheers.
I am intrigued by the Christmas in Tahoe album by Train.
I’d love the Jan Arden album…I think I may have to pick it up. I love her!
A Jann Arden Christmas is the album that I would be most delighted to give a spin this holiday season.
A Jann Arden Christmas as well as Rockin’ Rudolph by The Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Not a big fan of Christmas music but I absolutely love Brian Setzer Orchestra
I am all about a Canadian Christmas so my pick would be our Canadian icon, Jann Arden!
Jan Arden for sure.
Christmas in Tahoe by Train
I love Jann Arden’s music and would love to have her Christmas album!
I would love to share Christmas with Jan Arden and her iconic musical talent
i would love to listen to the Jann Arden Christmas CD, especially since she is from Canada!
Jann Arden! Her album is already on my Christmas list!
I’ll say Jann Arden, she has always seemed like a great broad to me 🙂
Jumping on the Jann Arden train here – love her! I like that she sticks to the classics, I don’t much care for original Christmas tunes.
Jann Arden !
I am a huge Jann Arden fan so definitely that would be my choice
Rockin’ Rudolph by The Brian Setzer Orchestra, I love these guys!
I would love the Jann Arden Christmas CD.
I am already spinning Danny Gokey’s album! Love his voice and this album has tons of variety! Also two original songs! This will be a great gift for my family, too!
I would really like to hear the Today Is Christmas by Leann Rimes album
I’d most want to listen to the A Jann Arden Christmas. She has the best voice ever!
I love Jann Arden, so am going to pick her album.
I’m a big Kylie fan so that would be my first choice but the Jann Arden would be great too!
Black & Decker bonus entry: I’m most delighted to give TRAIN a spin this holiday season ‘cos I’m not sure what to expect from them! Thanks
Reblogged this on Danny Gokey News and commented:
It appears that this Canadian audience is not really familiar with Danny Gokey and his music. I thought we might want to add our thoughts and consider a few more Christmas CDs for our collections?
I would love to have Kylie Christmas.
I would love to listen to Christmas in Tahoe by Train.
Huge fan of our Jann Arden. Can’t wait to buy this album!!
Can’t wait to clean up!
Kylie Christmas is my pick!
A Jann Arden Christmas would be my pick
Today Is Christmas by Leann Rimes is my pick!
Jann Arden, YA! They are all good choices though.
I definitely want to hear the Leann Rimes Christmas album!
Love Jann Arden and Christmas albums
For sure, Jann Arden. I have one of the Brian Seltzer christmas CDs – very good too.
Jann Arden for sure
My pick is Today Is Christmas by Leann Rimes!
I’d most like to have the Jann Arden holiday album.
Not a huge Christmas music fan, but I am intrigued by the Train album..
I’d pick Jann Arden.
Who doesn’t need a little Kylie for a cold Christmas- dreaming of Down Under!
I’d love A Jann Arden Christmas!