I have a strict rule I abide by every year that nearly everyone scoffs at and just absolutely ignores. My number one rule this time of the year is “no Christmas music before Thanksgiving.” I know most of you are telling me to get lost already, but the commercialization of Christmas is shoved down our throats earlier and earlier every year that I have decided to draw the line and delay the repetitive playing of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” until Black Friday.
It seems the last true new Christmas song to make an impact on our holiday playlist was the aforementioned Mariah classic. Sure, there has been releases by Pentatonix, Faith Hill, Destiny’s Child and even ’N Sync since “All I Want” but none of them have matched the joy that Mariah’s 1994 has brought the masses. Well, now that it’s officially Christmas season and it is truly the time to dust off your Now That’s What I Call Christmas CD, why not take a look at what new holiday releases are out for the 2019 holiday shopping season? This year’s collection of releases includes a wide variety of choices hitting genres from pop to country to jazz and even metal. There’s also a release from a Saturday Night Live alum.
Molly Burch The Molly Burch Christmas Album
Austin singer-songwriter Molly Burch approached her Christmas album with me in mind. I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas music by any means. If I can go one holiday season without hearing any of the traditional songs like “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” it would be a Christmas Miracle. Burch decided to dig deep for some the choices on her album by recording Ella Fitzgerald’s “The Secret of Christmas” and Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas” among others. There’s even a unique take on George Michael’s “Last Christmas,” plus two originals Burch wrote for the album. The Molly Burch Christmas Album is one I can see making my annual rotation and that’s a high compliment. @mollyjburch
Robbie Williams The Christmas Present
I knew this album would be the greatest Christmas album ever without ever listening to a single note. Ok, I admit…I am very biased when it comes to Sir Robbie and will not apologize for it. I have been singing the praises of the former Take That member since my days as a radio DJ in the ‘90s and will never stop doing so. The pop icon tackles the standards with the same vigor as he did on his big-band album Swing When You’re Winning and also includes three original songs as well. Robbie also teams up with fellow pop superstar turned crooner Rod Stewart on “Fairytales.” If you’ve ever seen Robbie live, then you more than likely have seen his father as well so it should be no surprise that Papa Pete is featured on the album. The two Williams’ appear together on “It’s A Wonderful Life” while German star Helen Fischer joins Robbie on “Santa Baby.” Easily the most intriguing guest on the album is boxing champion Tyson Fury. Tyson is featured on the very fun and clever original “Bad Sharon.”
I’ve come to understand that Robbie Williams will probably never have the success in the U.S. that he had everywhere on the planet but I plead to everyone to add this album to their holiday collection. I promise you will not be disappointed. @robbiewilliams
Rob Halford Celestial
Who says you can’t wear leather, metal studs, scream at the top of your lungs and not love Christmas? I don’t know if any one will actually ask that question anymore after Rob Halford released his first holiday themed Winter Songs ten years ago, but just in case someone is, he’s back with Celestial, a traditional Christmas album that’s given a metal makeover. The legendary Judas Priest singer enlisted the help of his family to make the album. His brother Nigel plays the drum while his sister Sue rocks hard on the bells. Nephew Alex plays the bass, while Jon Blakely and Robert Jones round out the band on guitar.
The four originals and eight classics that make up Celestial bounce back and forth from Heavy and Thrash metal. “Donner and Blitzen” takes off like Rudolph has a rocket strapped to him while “Morning Star” displays a slow downed Halford that fans are not accustomed to. “Away In A Manger” gives serious Rush and Tenacious D vibes. For anyone doubting Halford’s vocal ability 50 years after the formation of Judas Priest just needs to give Celestial one listen and all doubts will be gone.
Ana Gasteyer Sugar & Booze
When I first saw that SNL alum Ana Gasteyer was releasing a Christmas album, I was hoping deep down that it would be sang in the stylings of high school music teacher Bobbie Mohan-Culp. Instead Ana completely blows it out of the water with her natural voice and delivers what is easily the best holiday album of the 2019.
Gasteyer puts her jazz spin on some holiday standards on Sugar & Booze including “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. Fellow SNL cast member Maya Rudolph joins Ana for album highlight “Secret Santa”. Ana’s collection of Christmas songs is perfect your hip Christmas party. If you’re interested in hearing some live Christmas music than catch Ana Gasteyer at City Winery in Nashville on December 16. @AnaGasteyer
This is just a small taste of the great Christmas albums out there for you to unwrap this year. Please check out some of these other holiday albums from this year:
- Chris Kamara Here’s To Christmas
- Idina Menzel Christmas: A Season of Love
- Lea Michelle Christmas in the City
- Chicago Chicago Christmas
- Keb Mo Moonlight, Mistletoe and You
- Nina West The West Christmas Ever
Steven McCash is the Music Columnist for SoBros Network. He is the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music, in addition to the occasional live show review. Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
