Tunes kwazy and quaint, rockin' and religious

Looking for some holiday music?

By David John Farinella
Special to CNN Interactive

(CNN) -- What performer can resist making holiday music? Not many, apparently.

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Musicians from around the globe for years have celebrated the season in everything ranging from classical to new age, from rock to pop, from rap to blues. Their efforts have given listeners every sound imaginable, from the majestic to the silly.

A bevy of new releases this year offers more of the same. Some albums put a new polish on vintage holiday songs, while other ambitious artists have created new tunes. While it's never been an easy task to unseat some of the classics -- pick any Bing Crosby Christmas album, for instance -- performers always try.

Here are some of this season's best and brightest:

The Three Tenors
"The Three Tenors Christmas"
Sony Classical

AUDIO 'Happy Christmas/War Is Over' 384KWAV sound

Heading up the majestic parade, "The Three Tenors Christmas" is a stunning collection of holiday classics that easily soars, thanks to the operatic vocal talents of Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. Steven Mercurio conducts the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen Children's Choir. The performance was recorded last year at Vienna's Konzerthaus and is due to be broadcast on public television stations across the United States. While such staples as "Adeste Fideles" and "White Christmas" seem like naturals, the captivating performance of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Christmas/War Is Over" is the surprising offering.

"Radio City Christmas Spectacular"
Legacy/Sony Direct/Radio City Records

The "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" is a quintessential Christmas album -- it's got the legs, you might say, to become a holiday standard. Not only is it chock full of hyper-produced show tunes, the album contains hokey comedy bits and Santa dialogue. Listening to it makes you feel as if you're watching the original Rockettes' annual Christmas show production. If you need a heavy duty dose of cheer on Christmas morning, or are interested in hearing The Rockettes tapping toes during "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," this is your album.

"Radio Disney Holiday Jams"
Walt Disney Records

Mom and dad's favorite artists -- think the Beach Boys offering "Little Saint Nick" -- blend nicely with contemporary bands like 'N Sync on this 15-song collection. A diverse ensemble presentation, this album captures the spirit of the holidays while managing to bridge the age gap. This is a fun listen, even with The Singing Dogs' "Jingle Bells" and "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" from Alvin and The Chipmunks. Just how fair it is, though, to sandwich Burl Ives' classic "A Holly Jolly Christmas" between Elmo & Patsy's "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" and "Macarena Christmas" by Los Del Rio is open to debate. Apparently, that's how these things go.

"A Very Ally Christmas featuring Vonda Shepard"
Epic Records/500 Music

The sulty and scintillating vocals of Vonda Shepard of "Ally McBeal" fame make "A Very Ally Christmas" sizzle. Her stunning depth gives "Silver Bells" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and other classics something extra, while she turns "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" into the romantic song it's always meant to be. "McBeal" stars Calista Flockhart, Jane Krakowski, Lisa Nicole Carson and Robert Downey Jr. all add their vocal talents to an album that doesn't falter.

Ottmar Liebert
"Christmas + Santa Fe"
Epic Records

Very few guitarists -- maybe just two -- could take one of the best-known Christmas songs and turn it into a flamenco-flavored number. Yet that's what Ottmar Liebert does to "Silent Night" during the new age-laced "Christmas + Santa Fe." Twelve of the album's 13 tracks bend a holiday classic into uncharted territory; the remaining "Winter Solstice" is a Liebert original. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Deck the Halls" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" all receive fresh treatment that actually makes this an album that soothes and interests at the same time.

Charles Brown & Friends
"Merry Christmas Baby"
Fuel 2000 Records

The joyousness of the holiday season and the blues might seem a tad bipolar. Still, there's something spectacular about the variety of songs found on "Merry Christmas Baby." The album sways from the soulful pleadings of Charles Brown during "Please Come Home for Christmas" to the romantic Bobby Powell number "The Bells." Even Louis Jordan's broken-hearted "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" fits with the season's yearnings. However, this collection hits its highest notes (as far as holiday spirit is concerned, anyway) during the two standouts -- the gospel-laced "White Christmas" and "Little Jesus Boy," courtesy of The Violinares.

Mark Mothersbaugh
"Joyeux Mutato"
Rhino Records

AUDIO 'You Better Watch Out ...' 464KWAV sound

You know you're in trouble as soon as you read that this album is "for anyone who has ever been traumatized by the Christmas season and is intended to provide solace and shelter from the ensuing onslaught of over-heated holiday situations." Yikes. These 11 songs, from the mind and fingers of former Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh, provide a deep, textured electronic soundtrack for the holidays. "Joyeux Mutato," while not for everyone, is an interesting change of pace for listeners who can't stomach another rendition of "Oh Holy Night."

"Simple Gifts"
A Windham Hill Collection
Windham Hill Records

Holiday music would seem like a natural for the Windham Hill crowd, but this faithful rendition of standards is sterile. Many songs, including Suzanne Ciani's interpretation of "Oh Holy Night," are performed with cathedral-like solemnity. What's most unfortunate about "Simple Gifts" is that a number of joyful songs turn introspective in the new-age genre.

"Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas"
Dancing Cat Records

Thanks to the warmth and richness of the Hawaiian slack-key style of guitar playing -- some of the strings are tuned down for a deeper sound -- the "Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas" album is a welcome addition to any holiday celebration. Some of the islands' more prominent players, including Keola Beamer, Led Kaapana and Dennis Kamakahi, play a handful of standards and Hawaiian originals with command and careful attention.

"The Looney Tunes Kwazy Christmas"
Kid Rhino

Featuring The Looney Tunes cartoon voices of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Granny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Taz, Speedy, Pepe Le Pew and Sylvester, "The Looney Tunes Kwazy Christmas" provides a pretty humorous listen. Of course, nothing is serious in the Looney Tune world, and that works for the best during these 11 songs.

Rosie O'Donnell
"Another Rosie Christmas"
Colombia Records

Well, turns out that Rosie O'Donnell knows what she's doing when it comes to the Christmas season. Last year she collected a handful of artists for the first "A Rosie Christmas" and donated all of the revenue to The For All Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization she started three years ago. This year she gathers such contemporary stars as Smash Mouth, Macy Gray, The Dixie Chicks, Ricky Martin and Destiny's Child, as well as more established artists as Linda Eder, Donna Summer and Barry Manilow. "Another Rosie Christmas" is a fun collection that doesn't take itself too seriously -- check the Smash Mouth and Dixie Chicks numbers as examples. There are gorgeous performances by Jewel ("Face of Love") and Eder ("The Bells of St. Paul") sprinkled throughout. Proceeds from the sale of the album will again benefit The For All Kids Foundation.

"Festival of Light, Vol. 2"
Six Degrees Records

The "Festival of Light" compilations albums celebrate the diversity of the holiday season with music geared toward Hanukkah. The first, released in 1996, included a smooth blend of contemporary musicians such as Marc Cohn and the nouveau Klezmer band The Klezmatics. The second continues the theme with contributions by noted saxophonist Dave Koz ("Memories of a Winter's Night"), alternative musicians They Might Be Giants ("Feast of Lights") and the stark folk of Peter Himmelman ("In the Embryo of Silence").

"Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas"
Interscope Records

They'll be rockin', rollin' and bumpin' to this one in Whoville. Anchored by Faith Hill's stunning "Where Are You Christmas?" the film's soundtrack includes a melange of top pop artists -- Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds, Smash Mouth and 'N Sync. Also included on this release is James Horner's original motion picture score. The Grinch, er, Jim Carrey, performs "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" and gives rap star Busta Rhymes a hand with "Grinch 2000." 'N Sync's "You Don't Have To Be Alone (On Christmas)" is exclusive to this release.

AUDIO 'The Christmas Song' 464KWAV sound

Cyrus Chestnut jumps into the frying pan while remaking "A Charlie Brown Christmas," one of the country's best-loved Christmas albums. Acclaimed musician Vince Guaraldi recorded the album 35 years ago, which is the emotional bedrock for the animated TV program of the same name. Chestnut's core musical compatriots, drummer Steve Gadd and bassist Christian McBride, don't wilt under the pressure. Joined during "The Christmas Song" by Brian McKnight and "Christmas Time Is Here" by Vanessa Williams, this album impresses with its mastery.

"All-Star Christmas"
Epic Records

"All-Star Christmas" features some of the day's most-popular voices singing the season's most-favorite songs. Celine Dion's take of "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" is beautifully done, as is Babyface's rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Yet what makes this, well, all-star set interesting are songs like "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" with Billy Gilman, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, and "Jingle Bell Jamboree," a blues-laced Keb Mo' original. This is a varied offering where there really is something for everyone.

"Christmas Songs"
Nettwerk America

It's the first tune on "Christmas Songs" that offers a hint of what lays ahead: Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan's version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is a fresh take on a vintage song. Tara MacLean provides the same courtesy with her beautiful rendition of "Winter Wonderland." and Today's it girl, Dido, pours herself evocatively into "Christmas Day." McLachlan is entrancing on "Song for a Winter's Night" and Matthew Ryan delivers a slightly haunting, off-kilter "Little Drummer Boy."

"Christmas Belles"
Rhino

Call this medley of holiday tunes the grande dame of them all. "Christmas Belles" collects such voices as Ella Fitzgerald ("Sleigh Ride"), Judy Garland ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas") and Rosemary Clooney ("Christmas Time is Here") and puts them in one neatly wrapped package. "Christmas Belles" is a stunner from the first track to the last.

Linda Eder
"Christmas Stays the Same"
Atlantic Records

Linda Eder's huge Broadway voice has a way of filling a song with commanding presence, and that works brilliantly in these holiday songs. Thanks to the big-band swing on "Here Comes Santa Claus/Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," Eder makes these songs sound like the festive numbers they are meant to be. The singer, who performed for years in the stage presentation of "Jekyll and Hyde," also has a way of putting her voice through a number of emotions. She easily touches the core of songs like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and the knockout rendition of "Ave Maria."

AUDIO 'What Child Is This?' 288KWAV sound

The 14-year-old opera wunderkind belts her way beautifully through a world of Christmas classics. Her reputation for a soaring soprano presentation precedes her on "Dream a Dream," so it's not a shock when she nails "What Child Is This?" and "Ave Maria." The album's opener, a duet with 12-year-old country star Billy Gilman, is intriguing, since it puts both artists in a pop setting. Neither falter, though Church's vocals fit more comfortably in the ornate orchestral setting of the song.

Sam Harris
On This Night

When Sam Harris belts out a traditional holiday song like "The First Noel" or "The Christmas Song" he soars. It's as if he channels some of the past's great vocalists into a contemporary setting. His star hardly fades as he offers a handful of originals such as "All I Need This Christmas," the sultry, blues-laced "Santa's Blues" and "A World of Difference." While the production is decidedly synthesized, Harris' vocals remain steadfast.

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