Well, we're officially two months away from Christmas. Time really flies! This date in October is always fun because each year we have Ken from the Sounds of Christmas sharing new music for the upcoming holiday season. So, without further ado...
Thanks so much for once again inviting me back to your blog, Michelle!
As usual, I am very excited about the upcoming season for the Sounds of Christmas (which starts on November 1, which is next Tuesday)!
We’re actually already on, of course. Actually, we’re always on. These days, we’re playing Halloween music through the end of October, as the Sounds of Halloween. For the last fifteen Christmas seasons, I’ve played a huge variety of Christmas music, and I’ve worked hard to play thousands of songs, without repeating the same song and the same artist. This way, you won’t hear “Jingle Bell Rock” twice an hour, and you won’t hear Mariah Carey over and over.
I have just always felt that there’s so much good Christmas music out there, and more and more coming every year, there’s no reason to play Bing’s “White Christmas” every other hour.
I’m doing the same kind of thing with Halloween music, spreading out different versions of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and others, as well as separating out the songs by the same artists. You won’t hear “Monster Mash” over and over (and I have multiple versions of that in rotation, including one I finally found that was recorded by Vincent Price!).
By the way, if there’s a spooky song you’d like to hear, you can certainly let me know and I’ll do my best to play it for you!
So, what’s new in Christmas music this season?
Once again, there is a lot of terrific new music this year, much of which is already out! I’m sure I won’t be able to get to it all of it in this blog, and there are always surprise releases that show up as the season gets going!
First, here’s some of what’s already been released…
One of the first releases of the season happened back in August. The folks that do the “Now That’s What I Call” series of compilations released “Now That’s What I Call A Wonderful Christmas." I don’t believe there was anything brand new on this one. It has 6 or 7 recent songs, including tunes by Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift and Pentatonix, as well as another dozen much older songs, including tracks by Nat King Cole, Burl Ives and Andy Williams.
In September, we had a new EP from Disney’s a cappella group DCappella called “Home For The Holidays."
Lyn Stanley released a set called “Novel Noel: A Jingle Cool Jazz Celebration”. I think there are some new tracks on this one, alongside some that she’s previously released, but now you can get them all on this one collection.
Dave Koz released “Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Ballads (A 25th Anniversary Collection)”. I think this is all-new, and it includes a guest appearance by Rebecca Jade, who sings a John Lennon medley of “Happy Xmas” and “Imagine."
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Joss Stone released her first Christmas album, “Merry Christmas, Love” at the end of September. It includes a couple originals and a bunch of covers, but it’s all new.
Jazz vocalist Sarah Partridge released her first Christmas album, “Partridge In A Pear Tree” at the beginning of October.
Lindsey Stirling has also released her second Christmas album, “Snow Waltz”. And if you’re a completist, hold out for the CD at Target, where there will be an extra 2 songs.
The Backstreet Boys have been promising a Christmas album for years, and they finally delivered their “A Very Backstreet Christmas”, after putting out their cover of “Last Christmas” in September as the first single. And like Lindsey Stirling, Target’s CDs will have two extra songs.
Jim Brickman released his latest, called “A Very Merry Christmas," and if you’re a fan, you should know that you can order an autographed copy of it through his website!
Gloria Estefan and Chris Isaak both released their second Christmas albums earlier this month.
Gloria’s is a family affair, with the majority of the songs performed with her kids, Emily Estefan and Sasha Estefan-Coppolla. Gloria does perform one solo track, her cover of “Christmas Time Is Here."
Chris Isaak’s album is called “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas." It’s a mix of covers and originals, and as on his first album, some of those originals showcase his sense of humor.
Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton are both revisiting Christmas past with their releases this month.
Reba released “The Ultimate Christmas Collection," which features tracks from her previous Christmas albums, along with her single from last year “I Needed Christmas."
Dolly has given us an even more expanded version of her 2020 release “A Holly Dolly Christmas." This one features all the tracks from that album, plus the bonus tracks from last year’s Deluxe Edition, plus two songs she’s contributed to the 1997 animated movie “Anabelle’s Wish." as well as “A Smoky Mountain Christmas” which came from the 1980s TV-movie of the same name (and that song has never been released), and this new set also includes her duet with Rod Stewart of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” that was for Rod’s album “Stardust…the Great American Songbook, Volume III” in 2004.
Elizabeth Chan returns with her latest Christmas release “12 Months Of Christmas." And if I did the math right, this is the tenth year in a row that she’s released new Christmas music!
Norah Jones surprised us with a deluxe version of her album from last year “I Dream Of Christmas." This one has lots of bonus tracks, including the single of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and many tracks from her Christmas performance last year at the Empire State Building!
American Idol finalist Olivia Rox released her first Christmas album, called An Olivia Rox Christmas. Her previously released single “It’s Christmastime” (which features Warren Hill) leads off this album.
Andrea Bocelli has a new one, in a similar vein as Gloria Estefan’s. It’s called “A Family Christmas" features collaborations with his son Matteo and daughter Virginia. And the Target version will have two bonus songs.
Celtic Thunder returns with “Celtic Christmas Morning," the follow up to last year’s “Celtic Christmas Eve." I don’t know if this is all-new music, or re-recordings of previously released songs (which they’ve done before).
Canadian jazz singer Holly Cole has combined her previous Christmas album “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and her EP “Christmas Blues” into one big release called “Baby It’s Cold Outside and I’ve Got The Christmas Blues." In addition to containing all the tracks from those two previous releases, there is one previously unreleased song - her version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."
Debbie Gibson has been talking about a Christmas album for a while, and like the Backstreet Boys, this year she delivers. It’s called “Winterlicious." and you can order an autographed copy of this one from her website.
Country singer Jamie O’Neal has released “Spirit & Joy," her first Christmas album. She had a Christmas EP last year with “Christmas You," "White Christmas,” and “River” – and all of those appear on the new album, along with duets with Collin Raye and Rodney Good.
Closing out October, we’ll get a 2-CD release from Neil Diamond, compiling tracks from his four previous Christmas albums. Laurie Berkner is set to release her second Christmas album, aptly titled “Another Laurie Berkner Christmas," featuring a mix of covers and originals.
Jazz vocalist Jane Monheit also delivers her second Christmas album this Friday. It’s called “The Merriest” (her previous Christmas album “The Season” came out in 2005). “(Christmas) Stay With Me” is the first single, and it’s already out, so you can get a little taste of what’s to come right now.
Pentatonix also has a new on due this Friday. “Holidays Around The World” has a tie-in to an upcoming special on Disney Plus, and the album is rumored to feature some guest stars, including Meghan Trainor (but that is just a rumor).
American Roots artist Grant Maloy Smith is releasing “The Christmas Heart” in November. Sounds of Christmas listeners might like to know that Judy Pancoast is one of the background singers for this one! And you can order an autographed copy (autographed by Grant, not Judy) through his website.
Switchfoot will be releasing their first Christmas album next month, and I think the tracks are split half and half between originals and covers. The first single, “California Christmas," is already out.
Nelson is releasing a compilation called “A Nelson Family Christmas," which will not only include the songs from their previous Christmas releases, but it will also include two rare Christmas songs from their dad, Ricky Nelson, and a version of “Jingle Bells” from Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra (no word on whether Harriett makes an appearance)!
Australian singer Rhonda Burchmore has a swinging, big band Christmas album on the way called “A Red Hot Swingin’ Christmas." This one’s been in the works for the last couple years, and when you hear it, you’ll know it was worth the wait!
Alicia Keys just announced on social media recently that she’s releasing her first Christmas album in early November, and it’s called “Santa Baby." Not a lot of details for this one, yet, but there’s supposed to be an original single coming this week!
Loreena McKennitt has a new 2-CD album coming in a few weeks. It’s called “Under A Winter’s Moon” and it promises seasonal songs alongside seasonal readings (which includes a six-part version of “A Child’s Christmas In Wales”).
While you may have seen the trailer for “Spirited," the upcoming twist on “A Christmas Carol” that stars Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, you might also like to know there will be a soundtrack that features both actors, and it’s due just before Thanksgiving!
Sir Cliff Richard will release “Christmas With Cliff” in late November, his first Christmas album since 2003.
And David Foster and Katharine McPhee have teamed up for “Christmas Songs”, a seven-song album featuring covers, and I think their version of “Jingle Bell Rock” is due soon!
There are plenty of Christmas albums being re-issued this season, but one I want to make sure to tell you about is Ray Charles’ outstanding Christmas album “The Spirit Of Christmas." This one’s been out of print for a while, and while I don’t think there’s anything new being added to it, previously unreleased tracks or different versions of the songs originally included, it’s still worth your time to check it out.
The other thing I want to mention is that many artists are making their releases available on vinyl this year. Some are new releases, and some are from artists who’s Christmas albums came out years ago.
Some of these include Louis Armstrong, the Backstreet Boys, James Brown, Belinda Carlisle, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Cheech and Chong, Kelly Clarkson, Holly Cole, Judy Collins, Charlie Daniels, Bobby Darin, Neil Diamond, the Four Seasons, Debbie Gibson, the Vince Guaraldi Trio, Chris Isaak, Greg Lake, Mannheim Steamroller, Mantovani, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, Reba McEntire, the Miracles, Leslie Odom Jr, Dolly Parton, the Platters, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, Savatage, William Shatner, She & Him, Sia, Jessica Simpson, Frank Sinatra, Slade, the Smithereens, Brynn Stanley, Shakin’ Stevens, Lindsey Stirling, Joss Stone, Rob Thomas, Scott Weiland, Trisha Yearwood.
And also for collectors…
Urban Outfitters has an exclusive vinyl version of the "Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack.
And out earlier this month, there’s a special 30th anniversary picture disc of the soundtrack to “The Muppet Christmas Carol."
I am sure I’ve missed some, and I apologize if I skipped one of your favorites. Hundreds of new releases come across my desk (and into my email) every year, and I try to get to as many as I can. Unfortunately, every year, I come across truly wonderful songs that I don’t actually discover until January.
Plus, there are always surprises. Usually, these are surprise singles, or even EPs. Every once in a while, there’s a surprise Christmas album, but that’s pretty rare.
The Sounds of Christmas shifts back to Christmas music on November 1. I know not everyone is ready for it that early, but we’re here for those who are. And we’ll be here, playing all your favorites alongside the tunes I mentioned here, whenever you are ready for Christmas music!
Hope you’re able to spend at least some of your holiday season with us!
And may you always believe in Santa Claus!
Ken
http://www.SoundsofChristmas.com
A big thank you to Ken for keeping up this Yuletide tradition with us! Be sure to tune in to Sounds of Christmas on November 1st, and all season long. I have a link to the Sounds of Christmas in the right sidebar so you can listen while you're online. Look for the Sounds of Christmas Christmas tree, click the image and you'll be taken to the site where you can listen. Also, Sounds of Christmas has an app on Google Play so you can listen on the go...and it's free! You can find it in the Play Store here.
There are many on this list I want to buy. There goes the budget!
Curious about our name change here on the blog. Check out my post about it here.
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