Carly Paoli. The Christmas Collection.
For Scrooge-like curmudgeons, festive music is jingle bell hell. But those who embrace the season will be delighted by the range of sounds on offer.
Carly Paoli’s first Christmas album sees the Mansfield-born marvel apply her timeless soprano vocals to a heady mix of Yuletide classics.
She is not content to confine herself to traditional favourites and carols, though.
As well as expected numbers like Silent Night and O Holy Night, Carly also covers Bless Us All, from The Muppet Christmas Carol, Believe from The Polar Express and Somewhere In My Memory – the theme from Home Alone.
The purity of her voice and sheer joy of her performance makes the collection a cut above rival contenders.
The blissful My Christmas Dream finds Carly joined by West End musical theatre star Rachel John, best known for playing Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton.
And Hark The Herald Angels Sing is a majestic duet with David Phelps, the platinum-selling Texan tenor who is fuelled, like Carly, by his Christian faith.
Opener Carol Of The Christmas Bells – the first of two medleys, arranged by Dom Haslam – begins with Handel’s Joy To The World, and includes Silver Bells, Ding Dong! Merrily On High and Carol Of The Bells.
The closing Christmas Medley is even better. The seven-minute epic starts with In The Bleak Midwinter then takes in Sleigh Ride, White Christmas, Silent Night, Away In A Manager, Mel Tormé’s The Christmas Song and Frosty The Snowman before ending with Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
The 15 tracks are all are delivered with warmth and conviction, devoid of syrupy tweeness and with genuine belief in what Christmas truly stands for.
Jethro Tull. The Jethro Tull Christmas Album – Fresh Snow.
Newly remixed by modern prog rock guru Bruce Soord of The Pineapple Tree, this 2003 comp mixes Tull favourites like the folky Jack Frost & The Hooded Crow with Bach’s Bourrée and reworked Xmas staples including their jazzy instrumental take on God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen. Mandolins, keyboards, and piccolos join the flute-led party. The deluxe 4CD+Blu-ray version adds unreleased live shows.
The Unthanks. In Winter.
Chills and thrills punctuate this dark take on the season. Best-known from the Worzel Gummidge BBC TV soundtrack, the Tyne & Wear folk group conjure up a 70 minute fantasia, weaving new and traditional songs into a bewitching and often disquieting set. The haunting harmonies of singing sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank add distinctive magic to the spooky mood.
for King + Country. A Drummer Boy Christmas (Live)
The US-raised Smallbone brothers pack 15 songs into this engaging live set, ranging from the passionate sweeping pop of God Is With Us to the rockier Joy To The World. Country star Gabby Barrett joins them on the leisurely groove of spiritual standard Go Tell It On The Mountain. Christian soft rock served with harmonies, huge arrangements and heart-felt conviction.
*Brass band enthusiasts shouldn’t miss John Rutter: Brass At Christmas featuring the Black Dyke Band and the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus.