It seems to me that there's a very large selection of new Christmas/Holiday related albums released this season — more than usual. A wide variety as well, from the traditional Johnny Mathis Gold: 50th Anniversary Christmas Celebration to the headbangin' Twisted Christmas by those Long Island, New York Metal Maniacs, Twisted Sister. You can go to a New Orleans Christmas if you like your carols Cajun style or do it up country with George Strait's Fresh Cut Christmas. Pick your genre or your fave singer and you are bound to find something that suits your fancy.
Still not sure what to pick up? Let me help you out. Airgo Music, an up and coming label out of New York, has put out a compilation Christmas album featuring the talent on their roster, called A Winter's Wish. And I can give you two reasons why you should add this to your list of holiday music to buy. It's has a great sound and helps out two great causes at the same time.
First of all, it's a good selection of songs that manages to be upbeat but still kinda mellow - don't pass this by although you have probably not heard of most of the artists involved. From the first track, a soulful "O Holy Night" by newcomer Mark Millan, which is simple and clean with it's acoustic guitar and piano accompaniment, this collection grabbed my ear.
Coming to this CD from the Broadway musical Rent are two performers that we'll be hearing more of in the days to come, Frenchie Davis and Mark Ford. Mr. Ford also shows his soulful side on "The Christmas Song" with a jazzy little flavor added. Ms. Davis' gives up a rockin' version of "Little Drummer Girl". Like many of the songs on A Winter's Wish, that are normally sung as if they are dirges, this is uptempo and fun!
Ditto for Yassmin Alers' "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and Faces Without Names "Jingle Bell Rock". Both recordings are bright and sunny and reminds you of why you liked these tunes to begin with.
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