2 MORE SLEEPS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!
Discover my top 10 albums of 2021 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2020 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2019 here
This is the 10th year that I have spent 60 days (since October 26th) scouring the furthest reaches of the North Pole for brand new Christmas songs, EPs and albums to comment on, luxuriate in and share with fellow Santa-philes like myself. I always start the season wondering whether there will be enough content to keep me delighted on a daily basis; I've not been disappointed yet - but one thing that struck me this year was the diversity of albums on offer. All different facets of musical genres were explored, all with the goal of bringing some holiday cheer. All I featured on this site are marvellous, but here are some of my favourites...
Loved discovering The Voice alumni, Girl Named Tom, via their One More Christmas album (meaning I get to dive into their non-festive music in the New Year - a bonus gift)! Featuring 4 original songs and 4 sparkling cover versions, there folksy arrangements and nuanced vox bring new insight to the well known songs (whilst ensuring the new ones feel just as indelible). It is a vivid treat for the ears but one that conjures up wintry images through evocative production
Best original - It's Almost Christmas
Best cover - Winter Wonderland
I'm old enough to remember the delight I felt when Harry Connick Jr released his first Christmas album. When My Heart Finds Christmas was issued in 1993 and combined to important things - my love of Christmas music and my Dad's love of jazzy big-band crooners. We bonded over the opus and have loved every festive holiday set since. It is a real treat that a fourth holiday collection, Make It Merry, has arrive and is just as joyful and triumphant as the Harry Holiday music which has come before.
Best original - Merry Me
Best cover - The Christmas Song
With its delightfully magical cover art, Merry Christmas, Love is a collection of classic festive fare all performed in sumptuous, seasonal soul session style by the inimitable Ms Stone. The album opens with a snippet from the classic tale, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas - pitching the scene & setting the tone for Joss to immerse the listener in the stories of song that soundtrack all of her holiday memories (while no doubt hoping that her interpretations create new ones too).
Best original - If You Believe
Best cover - Snow
A new Christmas album only 2 years after the last one? I'm totally sold. Yup, the lads are back with a third album of holiday songs. Like the Swedish Westlife, this group continues to delight by doing what they are so darn good at (putting out great pop music). Sure, it may be sung largely in Swedish but language is no barrier to finding the magic within these tunes - a fine collection of song guaranteed to add glitter and sparkle to your Christmas Eve playlist.
Best original -Dröm Om December (Dream of December)
Best cover -önska God Jul Till Varann (Merry Christmas Everyone)
Tasha's big-band/jazz inspired arrangements are both merry and bright on her sparkling new festive set This Is Christmas. With a balance of reinvented standards that shimmy alongside some original compositions, this is a great alternative to your standard holiday fare - and (if, like me, you are new to Tasha's sound) a great introduction to the singer. You only have to look at the cover art to know that this is going to be a jolly good time - and that is definitely reflected in the giddy radiance of the songs.
Best original - Hang Up Your Stockin'
Best cover - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
I often get the gift of discovering artists I might not have other known about via festive albums. That is certainly the case with Olivia Rox - an American Idol contestant from a few years back (this Brit boy doesn't get to see those shows); her pop certainly rox and she has curated a collection of your soon to be favourite future oldies (including a couple in different musical styles, like a melodic choose your ending adventure book). She certainly can belt out a tune and definitely knows how to craft a canny hook!
Best original - It's Christmas Time
Best cover - Jingle Bells (Jazz Version)
Ms Estefan always keeps Christmas well and this year it is a family affair as she has bought her daughter Emily Estefan and grandson Sasha Estefan-Coppola along. We're all invited to an Estefan Family Christmas and it is clearly the place to be this holiday season. Group sing-alongs, heartfelt duet and glorious solo moments are all offered up as musical gifts that not only bring to mind the memories of Christmas past but are here to soundtrack moments as they happen today and (always) tomorrow
Best original - Thankful
Best cover - Last Christmas
An album of holiday music is for life - not just the season it is released. Find one that charms you and you have the soundtrack to memories gone by as well as the accompaniment to memories you have yet to make. That is why I've been so entirely enchanted by Sarah Connor's new Yuletide opus, Not So Silent Night (even though I didn't discover it until late in the season). A magical party from start to finish, it is like I've been shaken up and all around me snow is cascading like healing musical glitter from the heavens...
Best original - Ring Out The Bells; Not So Silent Night
Best cover - The Christmas Song
Even though I'm a die hard #Debhead, it was not a guarantee that her (hopefully) inaugural holiday album, Winterlicious, would come out my favourite album of the year. I expect a lot from my festive collections regardless of who records them. Luckily, this was so full of charming songs to make your spirits bright that I couldn't help but be enchanted. Whether it be some of the joyful originals (#ChristmasStar, #IWishEveryDayWasChristmas), the exquisite remastering of the definitive take on #SleighRide or breathtaking balladry (#TheGift, #Cheers), it was joyful AND triumphant.
Best original - Jingle Those Bells; Illuminate; Cheers
Best cover - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Best Joe - Heartbreak Holiday (Joey MacIntyre); White Christmas (Daddy Joe)
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