Christmas is just around the corner and it's not too late to get into the spirit of the season! We've rounded up a couple seasonal releases that should be just the ticket to a winter wonderland indoors.
Take a look and share your thoughts on your favorite holiday songs! Is newer better? or do you stick with traditional renditions of the year's merriest tunes?
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Combine the most beloved, classic songs of the holiday season with the warm baritone of one of the most recognized voices in popular music, and this Fall will give fans reason to celebrate with James Taylor At Christmas.
James Taylor At Christmas, includes Taylor's heart-warming version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," from the 1944 film Meet Me In St. Louis, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," as well as the premiere of a new recording of Joni Mitchell's composition, "River." Special guest performances on the CD feature jazz trumpeter Chris Botti on "Winter Wonderland," legendary harmonica player Toots Thielemans on "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) and with Natalie Cole on "Baby It's Cold Outside."
Taylor, who will hit the road this Fall for his critically hailed "One Man Band" Tour,
has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and 5 Grammy Awards for a catalog running from 1970's Sweet Baby James to his Grammy Award-winning effort October Road (2002). He has won the RIAA's Diamond Award and is a Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer, a member of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and in 1998 was honored with Billboard's Century Award. Just this past February, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences selected James its MUSICARES Person of the Year.
For all the latest official news and information about James Taylor go to www.jamestaylor.com.
James Taylor At Christmas Tracklisting
1. Winter Wonderland (featuring Chris Botti, trumpet)
2. Go Tell It On The Mountain
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. Jingle Bells
5. Baby, It's Cold Outside (featuring Natalie Cole)
6. River
7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
8. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (featuring Toots Thielemans, harmonica)
9. Some Children See Him
10. Who Comes This Night
11. In The Bleak Midwinter
12. Auld Lang Syne
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Cool Yule, Midler's first new album since 2005's Top 10-charting "Bette Midler Sings The Peggy Lee Songbook," draws its name and upbeat spirit from the 1950s hipster holiday song, penned by Steve Allen, revamped by Midler for her holiday collection.
"Cool Yule" is a swinging celebration of that merriest of seasons, with song selections covering the many moods of Christmas ranging from beloved carols ("O Come, O Come, Emmanuel") to classic pop ("Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "White Christmas," and an infectious medley of "Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" sung with Columbia labelmate Johnny Mathis).
"Nearly every great artist eventually makes his or her imprint on this favorite time of the year," writes Jay Landers in his liner notes for "Cool Yule." "From Ella to Elvis, Sinatra to Springsteen and Bing to Sting, and of course, 'The King of Christmas' himself, Johnny Mathis. Each new season brings forth a fresh crop of music to create a soundtrack of snowy white…no matter if you live in Nome, Alaska or Gallup, New Mexico. Now add Bette to this esteemed list."
Cool Yule Track Listing
1. Merry Christmas
2. Cool Yule
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. Winter Wonderland / Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Duet with JOHNNY MATHIS)
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
7. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
9. Mele Kalikimaka
10. From A Distance (Christmas Version)
11. White Christmas
One of the world's best-loved and most versatile entertainers, Bette Midler has
garnered accolades in all quarters of show business. She's earned four Grammy Awards including Song of the Year (1989: "Wind Beneath My Wings"; 1990: "From A Distance") and Record of the Year (1989: "Wind Beneath My Wings"); two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, one Tony Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and nine American Comedy Awards.
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Produced by Bobby Colomby, the yuletide 2006 edition of December premieres two new songs: a breathtaking interpretation of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria," featuring the Choir of St. John's, Smith's Square, and "I Don't Really Want Much For Christmas" (featuring Eric Benét). The newly expanded edition of December also debuts new versions of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Silent Night."
December(2006 edition) Tracklisting
1. The Christmas Song
2. Ave Maria
3. Winter Wonderland
4. The First Noel
5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
6. Hallelujah
7. I Really Don't Want Much For Christmas (featuring Eric Benét)
8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
10. Silent Night
11. Little Drummer Boy
12. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
13. I'll Be Home For Christmas
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