I'm not buying many holiday CDs this year, but have the following on my radar...
Brian Setzer Orchestra: Dig That Crazy Christmas -- His albums are always a "fun" holiday outing, and I'm sure this one will be no exception. I have all of the songs from his last holiday recording, Boogie Woogie Christmas, along with the Japan "Luck Be A Lady" EP that included the extra tunes that appeared on the different versions of that album at different large retailers. Target had a "special edition" last year that added two more new songs as well.
Michael Franks: Watching The Snow -- This is actually Franks' newest recording since Barefoot On The Beach. This album contains new compositions by Franks that are based on the holidays and winter.
Diana Krall: Christmas Songs -- This one's with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, so it should be a treat. It would have been ideal if they'd have included the three holiday tracks from her Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas EP, along with "The Man With The Bag" which showed up as a bonus track on retailer Target's version of The Look Of Love.
Reverend Horton Heat: We Three Kings -- One of my favorite neo-rockabilly bands has a holiday CD out now. I can imagine the Reverend's good humor will prevail on a few of the tracks.
40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas -- Normally I avoid "tribute" CDs, but in this case, the project was overseen by jazz pianist David Benoit, who actually took over producing music for the Peanuts specials after Vince Guaraldi passed on. It features both guest instrumentalists and vocalists, so it should be a nice compilation!
Brian Setzer Orchestra: Dig That Crazy Christmas -- His albums are always a "fun" holiday outing, and I'm sure this one will be no exception. I have all of the songs from his last holiday recording, Boogie Woogie Christmas, along with the Japan "Luck Be A Lady" EP that included the extra tunes that appeared on the different versions of that album at different large retailers. Target had a "special edition" last year that added two more new songs as well.
Michael Franks: Watching The Snow -- This is actually Franks' newest recording since Barefoot On The Beach. This album contains new compositions by Franks that are based on the holidays and winter.
Diana Krall: Christmas Songs -- This one's with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, so it should be a treat. It would have been ideal if they'd have included the three holiday tracks from her Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas EP, along with "The Man With The Bag" which showed up as a bonus track on retailer Target's version of The Look Of Love.
Reverend Horton Heat: We Three Kings -- One of my favorite neo-rockabilly bands has a holiday CD out now. I can imagine the Reverend's good humor will prevail on a few of the tracks.
40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas -- Normally I avoid "tribute" CDs, but in this case, the project was overseen by jazz pianist David Benoit, who actually took over producing music for the Peanuts specials after Vince Guaraldi passed on. It features both guest instrumentalists and vocalists, so it should be a nice compilation!