Christmas with Johnny Cash (2003) by Johnny Cash
The compilation was released days after his death in 2003 and it features tracks recorded between 1962 and 1980. He turns in moving performances of classics like O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Blue Christmas, and more. But it’s his narration of a story about an impoverished childhood Christmas that remains with listeners.
Christmas Interpretations (1993) by Boyz II Men
Associated with hits like End of the Road and On Bended Knees, the Boyz II Men Christmas offering still finds good airplay as they dial up their vocals to 11 and pack in flawless harmonies into a bunch of original songs that cover topics like poverty, sharing, caring and, of course, love, delivered in a laid-back fashion.
Snowed In (1997) by Hanson
The Hanson brothers are still going strong, releasing albums but, of course, we are stuck to Mmmbop, which released in the same year as the album Snowed In when their voices sounded like Christmas bells and their version of Run Rudolph Run is absolutely stunning and so are Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Little Saint Nick.
The Spirit of Christmas (1985) by Ray Charles
Needless to say, it’s solid rhythm and blues even when he turns up to deliver Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, giving us the feel that Santa Claus and Rudolph are happy sharing cups of hot chocolate at the North Pole. And his version of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town will make you feel that the bearded one has not only arrived at your place, he’s also occupying your sofa.
Quality Street (2013) by Nick Lowe
The noted figure in power pop has a very different take on Christmas, keeping it free of sleigh-bell. It’s a selection of traditional songs that are not overplayed, plus a few originals, and all of them together give you the feel of ‘Quality Street’, a tin of festive candies that’s popular in the UK.
The Beatles Christmas Album (2017) by The Beatles
It’s not an album but a compilation with an interesting history. Between 1963 and 1969, Beatles sent out seven-inch flexidiscs to their fan-club members around Christmas, featuring some hilarious recitations, sketches, poems and, of course, songs. The best piece — and perhaps the saddest — is ‘The Beatles Seventh Christmas Record’ from 1969 when the group only existed in name. We hear Yoko Ono and John Lennon talk about the decade to come. To Ono’s “I think it’ll be a quite a peaceful Seventies” we hear Lennon’s Good King Wenceslas… a snatch of it.
Christmas Album (1964) by The Beach Boys
It was a sunny year for the group as they released a number of albums, including this Christmas one, which has a holiday vibe of a different kind, especially on the original songs written and produced by Brian Wilson, like The Man With All The Toys and Santa’s Beard. For a group that know for sun-and-surf lyrics, this was a refreshing effort. One of the original songs — Little Saint Nick — was later performed by John Denver and The Muppets in 1979.
Snoop Dogg Presents Christmas in tha Dogghouse (2008) by Snoop Dogg
Just don’t play in front of the children, otherwise this funkadelic compilation is surprisingly good as the rapper rolls from My Little Mama Trippin on Xmas to Landy in My Egg Nog. There is enough holiday cheer if you like a bit of rapping.
James Brown’s Funky Christmas (1995) by James Brown
A compilation, James Brown has some great slow jams, social commentary and funky numbers to offer, from Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto to Tit for Tat (Ain’t No Taking Back). The originals can add a different flavour to your Christmas playlist.
A Very She & Him Christmas (2011) by She & Him
When Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward come together, it’s magic as Deschanel uses her smooth jazzy-singing voice to cut through the cold weather to give us songs like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Blue Christmas. Zooey can certainly light up a Christmas tree with her voice.
Christmas in the Heart (2009) by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan and carols are not supposed to work together but fairy dust did its magic as the man known for songs like A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall and Hurricane gets into a festive mood with Here Comes Santa Claus and O’ Come All Ye Faithful. His old-fashioned crooning wins over listeners.
Merry Christmas, Baby (2012) by Rod Stewart
After his Great American Songbook covers series, the rock star decided to use his raspy voice to light up a log fire as he sings Winter Wonderland, Blue Christmas, Silent Night and Auld Lang Syne, which is one of the best renditions in recent times and continues to stream globally (watch his Stirling Castle performance on YouTube). It’s a rollicking effort.