By Alan Sculley
Every fall brings a big-ol’-bag-full of Christmas albums. This year brought a slightly lower number of holiday releases than previous seasons. But happily, we get more than our share of worthy and unique Christmas albums. Here’s a look at the albums fans of Christmas music will want to put on their “to-listen-to” list now that the 2024 holiday season is upon us.
Ben Folds: “Sleigher” – The pianist-singer behind the band Ben Folds Five and an eclectic array of solo albums brings his considerable talents to one of this year’s most refreshing and best holiday outings. “Sleigher” features seven original songs – including the easy-going “Sleepwalking Through Christmas” and the jazzy and nostalgic “Christmas Time Rhyme” – that share the cheery disposition of long-standing favorites like “Frosty The Snowman” or “Jingle Bells.” And unearthing the Mills Brothers’ “You Don’t Have To Be a Santa Claus”—which Folds gives a Jordanaires vocal touch—was a really smart move. “Sleigher” has the makings of a new timeless classic that will be enjoyed year after year by many-a-fan of holiday albums.
David Woodard: “Around The Power Pop Tre e- Woodard successfully merges timeless Christmas styles with his hooky power pop sound here. “The First Noel” and “O Holy Night” get juiced with faster tempos and catchy guitar riffs. Several catchy originals (“Waiting For Christmas,” “Around The Power Pop Tree,” and “Peace & Love, Merry Christmas”) highlight this most welcome holiday entry for fans of rocking pop.
Dan + Shay: “It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album” – A two-album set, this duo’s holiday effort starts somewhat vanilla, with a first disc of oft-covered holiday standards. There is nothing wrong with that, but these versions offer little that’s unique. Where things get interesting is on the second disc. Made up of 11 original holiday/winter tunes, it further cements the notion that songwriting is this duo’s strongest suit. The originals come with perky pop hooks aplenty and often-playful lyrics (note the humor in “Blame It On Santa” and “Save The Snowman”), while a few ballads (such as “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” and “The Cozy Song”) give the disc welcome balance. This outing is officially a winner.
Judith Owen: “Swings Christmas” – Owen has shown throughout her career that she can sing virtually any style, including jazz, pop, classical, and blues. Now, she shows she has the vocal chops and knowledge to do vintage big band and holiday music by turning her 2023 EP “Winter Wonderland” into this full-length effort. The jazzy versions of standards like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” “Santa Baby,” and “Last Christmas” leave room for the horns to elaborate on the familiar arrangements of these songs while Owen takes a few fun vocal liberties of her own with phrasing, cadences and inflections (“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” and “Winter Wonderland.”), although she goes a bit overboard on “The Christmas Song.” And the originals, the sassy “Back Door Santa” and sly “Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney,” provide icing on the cake.
Brett Eldredge: “Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family)” – His third-holiday album contains eight songs co-written by Eldredge. More pop than country, Eldredge goes for the warm and fuzzies here, and that tone works well. The piano-centric title track should ring true to anyone whose holidays are highlighted by family get-togethers. Other highly melodic songs like the soul-tinged mid-tempo “Sweet December” (a duet with Kelly Clarkson), the slightly jazzy pop of “It Must Be Christmas,” and the frisky, horn-forward “The Night St. Nick Got Sick” (a humorous standout) keep things bright and sweet.
Little Big Town: “The Christmas Record” – The popular group leans toward the more contemporary side of holiday material on their first-holiday album. Along with some fresh takes on covers (“Someday At Christmas” and “Santa Claus Is Back In Town”), the album features four originals (the sprightly “Glow” and the Philly soul-ish “Holiday” are highlights). And, of course, the quartet’s lovely lush harmonies shine throughout these 11 selections.
Alicia Witt: “I Think I’m Spending Christmas With You” – Taking a break from her busy acting career to return to music, Witt shows she wasn’t about to do a rote collection of holiday covers. The highlights include the bouncy rocker “Weird Time of Year,” which humorously highlights oddities of the holidays, and “Soap Sud Snow,” a graceful pop tune with an Irish touch, while a trio of piano (that’s Witt’s instrument) ballads— “December 26th,” “Christmas Will Never End” and “Lonely Holy Christmas” — give the album some emotional weight.
The Philly Specials: “A Philly Special Christmas Party” —The trio of Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, and the now-retired Jason Kelce return with a third holiday album whose proceeds go to several charities. The footballers once again prove to be credible singers and are joined by Stevie Nicks, who joins Kelce on “Maybe This Christmas,” and Philly icons Boyz II Men, who lend their considerable talents to “It’s Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights).” There are also some creative moments, including a solid version of Sam Cooke’s “Having A Party” and a version of Alvin & the Chipmunks’ “Christmas Don’t Be Late,” which cleverly changes some lines from the original to suit the singers on this version. And let’s just say any act that thinks to collaborate with Mt. Joy to transform their song “Jesus Drives An Astrovan” into “Santa Drives An Astrovan” is doing something right. This is another enjoyable holiday project for a good cause.
Tower Of Power: “It’s Christmas” – The long-running horn-forward group puts enough of their soulful and funky spin on “Silver Bells,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” and “O Holy Night,” among other songs, to elevate “It’s Christmas” above many of this year’s other releases.
Jimmy Fallon: “Holiday Seasoning” – Joining the late-night TV host/comedian is an all-star cast of guests (Justin Timberlake, the Jonas Brothers, the Roots, and Dolly Parton, to name a few) to perform a set of good-natured, frequently humorous pop originals. It’s a holiday confection if ever there was one.
Tedashii: “‘Tis The Season” – Tedashii sets aside his usual rap stylings for singing on this eight-song EP. “‘Tis The Season” is highlighted by four originals, including “Back Home For Christmas,” a poppy gem in a Stevie Wonder vein, and the sweet ballad “Christmas Call,” where he trades vocals with V. Rose.
Jim “Soni” Sonefeld: “Light Of Joy”-The Hootie & the Blowfish drummer delivers a consistently enjoyable EP that celebrates the religious and family joys of the season. At five songs, it’s fairly short but plenty sweet.
Other new holiday albums to consider
As in typical years, a number of the acts making holiday albums this year played it pretty safe, performing the standards and not straying too far from the signature arrangements of the songs, adding orchestral sweetening as a common ingredient. That doesn’t mean these releases are duds. They’re fine and good, just similar to Christmas albums that came before them. If you prefer your Christmas albums to be like musical comfort food, you may favor these over the albums listed above. Here are some other solid 2024 holiday releases. Just don’t expect many musical surprises.
Jennifer Hudson: “The Gift Of Love”
Lea Salonga: “Sounding Joy – The Holiday Album”
Chapel Hart: “Hartfelt Family Christmas”
Rick Braun: “It’s Christmas”
Mickey Thomas: “A Classic Christmas”
Home Free: “Any Kind Of Christmas”
Ruben Studdard: “My Favorite Holiday” EP
Clay Aiken: “Christmas Bells Are Ringing”
