Holiday tunes that strike right note for all

The holiday season is filled with wonderful moments. Wide-eyed children opening gifts. Loving family members sitting down to a scrumptious dinner. Everyone gathering around the fireplace for photos. Hugs and kisses all around as the festivities come to a close.

Unfortunately, there is also a lot of downtime, too. For instance, Aunt Louise, your least favorite relative, who used to grab you by the earlobe when she yelled at you to emphasize her point, who makes a noodle koogle that prisoners of war would send back, inexplicably sits next to you on the living room sofa, and now it’s awkward conversation time.

Many of us have been in an Aunt Louise situation during the holidays. That’s one of the reasons why we purchase Christmas music. If there is a lively holiday CD playing in the background, it’s easier to ignore that relative or guest with whom you have so little in common.

Obviously, there are many to choose from, depending on your particular needs and tastes. If you have four octogenarians over for the holidays and you put on “A John Waters Christmas,” it would be a good idea to brush up on your CPR. Conversely, if you run with more of a hip-hop crowd and you treat them to “Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Songs,” you might have to find a new crowd to run with.

But there are enough out there to suit everyone’s taste. So get cracking. While it’s not yet time to roast chestnuts on an open fire, it’s never too early to gather kindling.

Among the new releases is Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas,” although it’s not new as much as updated. It’s out now in a duel disc format, so there’s a DVD side to go along with the CD. Mariah covers all the traditional hits like “Silent Night” and “Joy To The World,” then offers them again on the DVD side. You are sure to enjoy Mariah on video much more here than you did on “Glitter.”

Two other new releases that figure to be hot sellers are “What I Really Want For Christmas” by Brian Wilson and “The Christmas Collection” by Il Divo. Wilson mixes some standards like “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” with new versions of Beach Boys favorites like “Little Saint Nick” and some originals. Il Divo, a operatic and classical boy band, do mostly traditional songs like “White Christmas” and “Silent Night.” Simon Cowell of “American Idol” brought together Il Divo, so you know the band got past at least one harsh music critic.

If you’re interested in having a swinging time, consider “Christmas With The Rat Pack.” All but two of the 21 tracks are performed solo by either Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin or Sammy Davis Jr., the highlights being Sammy’s super-cool rendition of “Jingle Bells” and Dino’s take on “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Frank and Dean collaborate on two songs, “Marshmallow World” and “Auld Lang Syne.” Martini shaker not included.

Rhythm and blues enthusiasts young and old might want their holiday music with a little more style. In that case, check out “8 Days of Christmas” by Destiny’s Child, “The Jackson 5 Christmas Album,” “Hipster’s Holiday,” “The Spirit of Christmas” by Ray Charles and “A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector,” although for your own safety have Phil send it to you rather than getting it from him personally.

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