Christmas music abounds at record stores

Sixpence None the Richer

(CNN) -- 'Tis the season for lots of holiday music. For many people, whether they celebrate Christmas, Ramadan or Hanukkah, the holidays mean family, love and togetherness. But for music retailers, "happy holidays" mean the biggest sales of the year.

There's plenty from which to choose at music stores this holiday season. Stars with special Christmas albums out include Christina Aguilera, Rosie O'Donnell, Charlotte Church and even The Grinch. The soundtrack to "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" includes songs by country singer Faith Hill, Smashmouth and even a duet by Jim Carrey and rapper Busta Rhyme.

PERFORMANCES Sixpence None the Richer sings 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Kate Rusby sings 'The Holly and the Ivy' Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Tony Bennett sings 'The Christmas Song' Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Leanne Rimes sings 'The Christmas Song' Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

"We have very high expectations just like everybody else at this time of year," says Tracie Reed of CD Now. "Specifically for us, it's The Beatles, the Backstreet Boys, it's Enya, it's Sade, U2. It's a big time of year for us."

If your taste runs to more classical music, there's always the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a 60-piece orchestra and full choir backed by hard rock veteran, Paul O'Neill.

But for those in the mood for "comfort music," there's always the "Charlie Brown Christmas." The album was put together by the late jazz artist, Vince Guaraldi, who wrote the scores to the "Peanuts" TV cartoons.

"'Charlie Brown Christmas' is another perennial favorite, " says Reed. "There's a lot of music that people want to hear year after year. It's as comfortable as the Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole Christmases of years gone by."

'Christmas Stays the Same' for singer Linda Eder
December 25, 2000
Give a gift with heft: the box set
December 20, 2000
Top 10 holiday albums
December 20, 2000
Looking for some holiday music?
December 6, 2000

CD Now
Vibe.com

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.