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Countless singers have recorded the now-famous title track to this 14-song collection, but none have explored its evocative nuances as fully as the man who first brought it into our living rooms–Nat King Cole. Then again, his honeyed throat and refined delivery allowed him to make just about any song his own–even ubiquitous carols such as “O Holy Night” and “Adeste Fideles.” Cole’s gift–the thing that made him beloved by grandmas and jazzbos alike–was his ability to conjure images so vivid, you need only close your eyes in order to see, say, a snow-swept town square (“Caroling, Caroling”) or that holy scene from 2,000 years ago (“Away in a Manger”). –David Sprague

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Like Bing Crosby‘s “White Christmas,” Nat Cole’s “The Christmas Song” stands as one of two or three pillars of holiday music. This collection of songs and greetings includes another technologically induced daughter-father duet on Mel Torme‘s classic hit as well daddy Cole’s 1961 version of the tune. Fans of both Natalie and her dad will put this on the top of their wish lists. Two previously unreleased tracks–”God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” and “O Come All Ye Faithful”–will prompt a lot of lovers of Christmas music to fall in love again with Cole’s incomparable style and timeless voice. –Martin Keller

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10 tracks including “The Christmas Song”.

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2000 holiday album from the best selling female artist of all time worldwide. 24 Christmas classics. Mercury. 2000.

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The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sets the tone for what Christmas albums should sound like, and Joy to the World upholds their exacting standard of excellence. Re-released from two concerts recorded in 1970 and 1977 and repacked with three bonus tracks, this collection is as perfect as it gets, thanks to pristine production, gorgeous vocal arrangements, and stately accompaniment by the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra. This record will set the mood for reveling, both with more contemporary carols, like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song,” and sacred numbers, such as Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and “O Holy Night.” Joy to the World qualifies as an essential yuletide album. –Jaan Uhelszki

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Resplendent in voice and manner, José Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti deliver 21 songs of traditional sacred music and secular numbers in a remarkable 1999 live recording from the opulent Viennese concert hall (Konzerthaus), with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and a renowned choir. The Three Tenors are practically as famous as the faces of Mount Rushmore and inspire perhaps even more awe and adulation around the world than the four presidents. The performances–whether alone, in tandem, or simply as the threesome that has made them collectively famous–are generally impeccable for their passion, nuance, and sheer tour de force vocal artistry. Reaching often into the classical realm for such works as the traditional German carol “Susani,” Strauss’s and Brahms’s “Wiegenlied,” plus traditional Polish and Spanish pieces, the trio also visits Pavarotti’s “Ave Maria, dolce Maria” (cowritten with Vittoriano Benvenuti), and “Un nuevo siglo,” written by Domingo’s son. Only John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Christmas/War Is Over” doesn’t quite work in this grand setting. –Martin Keller

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GRAMMY® award-winning legend, Randy Travis releases his first new Christmas record in 18 years! A collection of sacred and traditional favorites accompanied by Travis? unmistakable baritone voice. Songs Of The Season is sure to be warmly received by fans, just like other recent Christmas releases by country artists such as Alan Jackson (450K scans), Martina McBride (1 Million scans) and Lonestar (325 scans).

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For right-minded buyers of the reissued Muppet Christmas Carol soundtrack, the odds of disappointment are about as remote as Miss Piggy’s chances with Kermit. If you loved the movie, you will love the loopy mayhem of the Muppet Brass Buskers (“Good King Wenceslas”), the cartoonish malice of the black-hearted misanthropes Marley & Marley (“Marley & Marley”), and the hope-swollen harmonies of Tiny Tim and Family (“Bless Us All”), Muppeted here to hilariously humble effect. If, on the other hand, your interest in this disc has more to do with its inclusion in the way-narrow Christmas-record-for-kids category–if the spirit of the season doesn’t extend, for you, to the magic of the Muppets–you may want to keep browsing, as it’s a soundtrack first (overture, instrumentals, and all) and a Christmas CD second. That’s not to suggest you’re stuck with an un-fun disc should it land on your holiday stack without a prior screening, though. Miles Goodman’s score sweeps and inspires, and certain tracks–”One More Sleep ’til Christmas” and “Fozziwig’s Party”–are future classics. (Note to the right-minded: After a misstep on the original release, Martina McBride’s version of “When Love is Gone” is back.) -Tammy La Gorce

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Join the holiday fun this season at ABC Family with music from your favorite holiday movies and specials. ABC Family is celebrating it’s 12th Annual “25 Days of Christmas” programming event beginning on December 1st and wants you to own a part of the fun. “Songs to Celebrate 25 Days of Christmas” is the perfect music companion to the TV event featuring classic songs such as Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman to contemporary hits from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Alexa Vega, Simple Plan and more. Music to create holiday memories to that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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Chip Davis’s Mannheim Steamroller hasn’t lost any ground in the six years since their last Yuletide offering. Christmas Extraordinare is another innovative and heartfelt collection of seasonal treasures played on a combination of 18th-century instruments and modern-day synthesizers, drums, and electric guitars. While not the first to marry different ages of musical instruments, Davis and his cohorts use them with imagination and an intensity that gives new life and drama to this rather inert genre. For material, Mannheim Steamroller asked their fans to choose their favorite holiday selections and vote on their Web site. The results of the poll are a fine mix of old and new–with slightly more emphasis on the modern–ranging from the bracing “Fum, Fum, Fum,” a traditional Catalan carol, to Tchaikovsky’s “Faeries” from The Nutcracker. Mannheim Steamroller imbues this beloved song with an almost militaristic edge, grounding it with an ominous tuba that gives the usually fey “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies” an edgy tension. “Winter Wonderland” is a spectacular work, bordering on prog rock, as if Emerson, Lake & Palmer had re-formed to whip up a winter blizzard gone amok. While most of the Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas albums are largely instrumental, Davis has employed the considerable talents of University of Michigan’s Glee Club to sing on “O Tannenbaum,” respectfully fading their elegant, full vocals around the pristine voice of Johnny Mathis, elevating this German carol to a cinematic peak. Don’t miss out on the clever liner notes, which give the reader a whimsical, anecdotal history of the 12 songs. –Jaan Uhelszki

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The first minute of this R&B-flavored soundtrack’s title song is a little scary: Chris Brown fires off a volley of sugary, overdone melisma, and you think this may be the one of the most treacly holiday tunes ever–until the beat comes in and Brown morphs into Stevie Wonder. Phew! His tendency to over-emote flashes again on the cover of “Try a Little Tenderness,” but Brown gets back on course and indicates why he’s turned into a genuine R&B hopeful. On the other hand, American Idol (and new Brown label-mate) winner Jordin Sparks’ take on “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is undermined by the cheap synths in the background. Sparks makes less of an impression than another newcomer, Lina, an L.A. singer who got less media coverage but whose jazzy “Santa Baby” is a lot of fun. Still, the young ‘uns have a way to go before they get close to the awesome power of the trifecta of soul/R&B greats (Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross) that makes up the core of the CD. –Elisabeth Vincentelli

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John Bayless, Christmas Rhapsody