Killers Vie With Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart for Christmas Crown: CDs
Rod Stewart, the subject of music industry derision for decades, was greeted with predictable guffaws when he released Merry Christmas, Baby.
The stars coolness rating has never recovered from the self-mocking Do Ya Think Im Sexy? in 1978. Festive albums are usually about as sophisticated as party hats and mistletoe kisses and this is no exception.
As the critics take pot shots, Rod is crying all the way to the bank. The CD has joined his American Songbook releases as among his bestselling on both sides of the Atlantic.
Youll probably only want to hear it for about a week of the year, though the title track, featuring Stewarts husky voice, Cee Lo Greens soulful crooning and Trombone Shorty, is fun. Rating: **
The same song shows up on Cee Los Magic Moment. Greens collection has more imaginative material, including a powerful reworking of one of Joni Mitchells best laments, River.
Green retains Mitchells sad instrumental take on Jingle Bells at the start and his vocal soars on the words teach my feet to fly. Rating: ****
The Killers have released their seventh Christmas single in aid of the Product Red charity. The band put out an EP of the previous ones last year. At this rate, it will soon have enough for a whole album. The latest song, I Feel It in My Bones, is catchier than some of the material on Battle Born.
Its not especially Christmassy, with only a Santa ho ho ho and a snatch of Silent Night tacked on the end.
Rating: ****
Seasonal songs are often best ! when musicians realize that jolly sleigh bells arent absolutely obligatory. Thats good reason to admire the Pogues and the re-released Fairytale of New York. As they say, The boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay, and the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day. Rating: ****
Country stars Lady Antebellum have jumped on the festive bandwagon (or should that be sledge). On This Winters Night runs over much the same snowy ground. Rating: **
On Sept. 25, Andy Williams -- who had turned Christmas into gold for decades -- died at the age of 84.
The same day, Now Thats What I Call Todays Christmas hit the shelves. My review copy arrived with a press release saying it brims with yuletide cheer and 18 holiday classics and originals by superstars including Justin Bieber and Coldplay.
It seemed a little premature, so I waited until now to listen to it. Lady Gagas live take on White Christmas with dinner-jazz backing is amusing. Rating: ***
Also in September, a load more CDs turned up from Legacy records, all called The Classic Christmas Album. On his, Luther Vandross has a spirited duet with Darlene Love in I Listen to the Bells (rating **).
The Elvis Presley title is boosted by THAT voice on Blue Christmas (rating: ****). The Kenny G., John Denver and Barry Manilow releases are for fans only (rating * at best).
For the best of holiday rock, try Christmas With the Rat Pack, featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Rating: ****.
Phil Spectors Christmas Album is outstanding. The producers reputation is in tatters given his later conviction for second-degree murder. He still produced some of the finest pop music of his time.
He worked on the LP obsessively for months. His epic studio sound perfectly suits Winter Wonderland and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.
Its best heard as the last disc of the Back to Mono set which combines all his hits: Be My Baby, River Deep -- Mountain High, To Know Him Is to Love Him and more. Now that really does make a perfect Christmas present.
Rating: *****
The CDs are priced from $9.99 and download prices vary across services.
What the Stars Mean:***** Exceptional**** Excellent*** Good** Average* Poor(No stars) Worthless(Mark Beech writes for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)
Muse highlights include Jorg von Uthmann on Paris art and Elin McCoy on wine.
To contact the writer on the story: Mark Beech in London at mbeech@bloomberg.net or http://twitter.com/home/Mark_Beech.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
'Merry Christmas, Baby'
The cover of "Merry Christmas, Baby" by Rod Stewart. The U.K. singer's 2012 album of seasonal standards has topped charts around the world.
The cover of "Merry Christmas, Baby" by Rod Stewart. The U.K. singer's 2012 album of seasonal standards has topped charts around the world. Source: Verve via Bloomberg
'Cee Lo's Magic Moment'
The cover of "Cee Lo's Magic Moment," a 2012 Christmas album by Cee Lo Green. The record includes a duet with Rod Stewart, and features Christina Aguilera.
The cover of "Cee Lo's Magic Moment," a 2012 Christmas album by Cee Lo Green. The record includes a duet with Rod Stewart, and features Christina Aguilera. Source: Warner via Bloomberg