Philadelphia Daily News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 148

PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS FRIDAY. DECEMBER 19. PAGEF-20 1 Holiday albums: When it snows, they play if A tonk country players sure had a hoot, and so will you, with roadhouse rockers like "Jingle Bell Boogie" and "Swingin' Drummer Boy." Tish Hinojosa, Willie Nelson and Don Walser also stop by to warble on a party-hearty set sure to inspire dancing and drinking in your saloon. Armadillo eggnog, anyone? "The Christmas Album," Roberta Flack (Angel) Light a fire, trim the tree and let this soothing, urbane treatment of faves (old and new) score your Christmas Eve. Flack still loves to draw sgngs out "We Three Kings" extends for more than six minutes but she never loses her focus or ours.

Bet this is one holiday album you enjoy year 'round. "Joy," Melissa Manchester (Angel) Another blast from pop's past makes a surprisingly cool and effective comeback with small-combo jazz treatments of "White Christmas," "Please Come Home for Christmas," "When You Wish Upon a and Charlie Brown's favorite "Christmas Time Is Here," plus M.M.'s own tasty treats, "There's Still My Joy" and "Christmas Angel." "A Window Shopper's Christmas," 5 Chinese Brothers (Prime CD) New York-based roots rockers attack the holiday with See ALBUMS Page F-22 Canadian chanteuse Jane Siberry and friends host this live concert recording stretching over two discs. Most songs are whispy, eccentric Siberry originals, the kind Tori Amos wishes she could write. "Merry Axemas A Guitar Christmas" (Epic) This rockin' guitars 'round the both quiet-storm comfort and strong musical chops from the chipper "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and the sax man's sweet original "The Love in His Infant Eyes" to Bach's "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" done up MJQ style, and an "Away in the Manger" that really swings! Radio pick the breath by Jonathan Takiff tree gimmick has been tried before, but with less success. Surprising diversity and generally restrained playing are the keys here, from the Brian Setzer Orchestra's jumpin jive "Jingle Bells" to Steve Morse's electro-baroque "Joy to the World." Also checking in with instru-mentals Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Richie Sambora, Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck, taking read of Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" with guest vocalist Lisa Fischer.

"Ray Stevens Christmas Through a Different Window" (MCA Nashville) Country funnyman Ray Stevens focuses on the dysfunctional aspects of holiday celebrating, so you gotta laugh to keep Daily News Staff Writer Music made for reverence or laughter. Seasonal art for charity or to get a flagging career fired up. Sounds to please your parents or inspire future generations. Yes, Christmas music comes in all stripes and sizes and for all sorts of reasons and definitely in huge quantities at this time of year. Since September, we've checked in (and out) more than 40 new Christmas music CDs with rock, urban, jazz and country interpretations predominating, but also oddballs ranging from drag-queen disco to "experimental" classical and art pop.

Favorite themes? As ever, gratitude, happiness, peace on earth. The most popular recurring tunes? Mel Tonne's "The Christmas Song" (aka "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open the Charlie Brown TV special theme "Christmas Time Is Here" and the romantic come-on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" which never actually mentions the holiday. Here are my 12 Faves of Christmas, plus some alternatives that are almost as good. "Child," Jane Siberry (Sheeba) Think contemporary artfolk-pop performance, maybe "Mountain Stage" Home Companion" at the Bottom Line, as 1--' 1 1 Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, Steve Vai, Joe Perry, Alex Lifeson and Japanese star Hotel "Breath of Heaven," Grover Washington, Jr. (Columbia) Most smooth-jazz Christmas albums I've suffered put me to sleep, but not so genre innovator Grover Washington tasty package.

Backed by fine players and arrangers, the set offers from crying. His gruesomely comic originals include "Guilt for Christmas" (yeah, the gift that keeps on giving), "Redneck Christmas," "Xerox Xmas Letter" (ah, the warm, personal touch) and "Nightmare Before Christmas." "Merry Texas Christmas, Y'AII," Asleep at the Wheel (High Street) These honky- Tried-n-true Christmas keepers by Tonya Pendleton soundtrack for it. It's a joyous set, one that will spread cheer throughout any gathering. The bouncy "Soul Holidays," which you'll often hear on the radio this time of year, embodies the spirit of the season. "Christmas Interpretations," Boyz II Men (Motown) The Boyz' sweet harmonies make this a package to remember.

"Let It Snow" should become a classic, and "Who Would Have Thought" is another example of the quartet's mastery of Yuletide music. "This Christmas," Patti LaBelle (MCA) Patti and Christmas what could be a better combination? As with everything she sings, Patti gives 110 percent. "Reason for the Season" and "If Everyday Could Be Like Christmas" are highlights. "Merry Soulful Christmas," Various artists (MCA) Patti appears here too, but it's New Edition and Stephanie Mills who dominate this release. But Gladys Knight and the Pips' "When You Love Someone (It's Christmas Everyday)" is this CD's gem.

Also listenable: "Special Gift," Various artists (Island); "Donny Hathaway" (Rhino); "The Hits," Prince (Warner These are two and hip-hop singles no Christmas should be without. Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'" is a hip-hop classic available on the "Special Gift" CD. And there's just no Christmas without the classic "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway, which appears as a bonus track on his self-titled album. (Not a bad Xmas gift for old-school music fans, either.) And if Christmas is often a depressing time for you, Prince knows what you're going through. His "Another Lonely Christmas" is the only seasonal song he's recorded.

Daily News Staff Writer It seems like new Christmas albums come out every year, sometimes from the same artists. Over the past few years, I've found my own treasure trove of Christmas music that keeps my house humming during the holiday season. "Star Bright," Vanessa Williams (Mercury) Despite everything you've heard about Vanessa, she can sing. This is a warm album highlighted by her beautiful rendition of "What Child Is This." "A Very Special Christmas 2," Various artists, One of the annual series of charity albums that benefits the Special Olympics, it's a multi-genre compilation. Listen for the Reba McEntireCharley Brown version of "Merry Christmas Baby." "A LaFace Family Christmas" (TLC) Toni Braxton and Usher doing their renditions of Christmas classics like "Sleigh Ride" "The Christmas Song" and "This Christmas." Notable for Toni Braxton's mournful rendition of "The Christmas Song." "Christmas in the City," Various artists (Motown) A compilation that includes several previously unreleased tracks by Stevie Wonder and the Su-premes.

Marvin Gaye does "The Christmas Song" his way, while the Supremes put their stamp on "Silent Night." "Christmas Rap" (Profile) One of the few rap Christmas collections, featuring old-school rap stars. Hip-hop fans can enjoy the sounds of "Christmas in Hollis," Spyder "Ghetto Santa" and Sweet "Let the Jingle Bells Rock." "The Night Before Christmas: A Musical Fantasy," Sounds of Blackness No matter what holiday you celebrate, this festive album will be a great ny Boyz II Men's "Let It Snow" should become a holiday classic.