Ding Dong, Merrily On High, Indeed!

Returned to print by Real Gone Music, THE THREE SUNS' amazing 1959 seasonal effort, A DING DONG DANDY CHRISTMAS, is lounge exotica run amuck, a genuine Yuletide gem.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘I WONDER AS I WANDER’

STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS: JOHN JACOB NILES's own account of writing 'I Wonder As I Wander,' plus an online discussion of the meaning of 'on'ry' in the first verse.
by David McGee
 

 

 

When Vintage Becomes Timeless

DAVID IAN did it in 2011 with Vintage Christmas, and does it again in 2012 with Vintage Christmas Wonderland: gather the combo, pare the set list to five songs and deliver a Christmas gem.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Vintage Cool Yule

Revised & Updated for 2023: A Cool Yule With LOUIS ARMSTRONG, BING CROSBY & THE ANDREWS SISTERS.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Holly & The Ivy: A Small Gem

A different kind of Christmas movie, no less moving for the nuanced role Christmas actually plays in the story. DVD now available.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Key Man Claus(e)

On his all-instrumental Yuletide offering, KEYS TO CHRISTMAS, pianist-producer JEFF COLLINS offers seasonal delights with a twist, and engaging thoughtful moments as well.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Man With All the Toys

Updated for Yuletide 2020, BRIAN SETZER's 2015 holiday gem, ROCKIN' RUDOLPH, shows off the master showman and ace guitarist at his best, along with his hard-working, gifted elves (the Orchestra), rocks and croons masterfully on...
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Quick Delivery of Yuletide Joy

At only 18 minutes in length, BALSAM RANGE's 2017 Christmas EP, IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME, is memorable, moving and succinct.
by David McGee
 

 

 

What Becomes a Classic Most?

Streisand at her apex in recordings made almost three-and-a-half decades apart. Make no mistake--she’s the classic here, and a classy one at that.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Zat You, Santa Claus?


Brian Setzer puts on his cat clothes and rocks the yule again...and again, putting his indelible stamp on rock 'n' roll Yuletide fare for all time.
by David McGee
 

 

 

To Dream Like an Angel

The year of our Lord 2021 has been awaiting its masterpiece of a Christmas album, and finally it has arrived in the form of La Chapelle de Quebec’s stunning The Road to Christmas.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Little Lower in Volume, A Little Slower in Speed

A baker's dozen from the Pinecastle roster offering rootsy takes on the holiday season.
by David McGee