Annie Lennoxmas, pt. 1

I haven't gotten my promo of Annie Lennox's Christmas Cornucopia yet, but my expectations are modest. I love Eurythmics' reading of "Winter Wonderland." I appreciate that her cover of "Put A Little Love in Your Heart" with Al Green has its fans, and winds up on the occasional Christmas mix, thanks to its inclusion in Scrooged. And yet, she hasn't made a record that truly filled me with joy since 1992's Diva. Adult contemporary Annie just doesn't do it for me.

This promo doesn't completely allay my fears (when the opening piano arpeggios rolled under footage of a passing minivan, I thought I was viewing a car commercial before the actual clip, but no... that's someone's idea of "setting the mood"), but the participation of the African children's choir does give me hope that she changed the usual chestnuts up a bit. And I am a sucker for "Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant." Now if she'd just get a makeover, or at least wear "dress-up" clothes for picture day. Dear God, she looks like she just came back from a casting call for Nurse Jackie.

Pink Martini Christmas, pt. 1

I just downloaded my promo copy of Joy to the World, the new holiday album by Pink Martini (in stores 11/16). I know the whole big band/cocktail lounge-at-Christmas thing can feel played out, but we're talking about a band that covered "Song of the Black Lizard" on its debut album, so my expectations are high. Until I can post a review, please enjoy this table-setting demonstration from bandleader Thomas Lauderdale. It's equal parts Martha Stewart and Pee-Wee Herman, and pure delight.

Not-so-great Scott

As if this galling performance on Leno last year wasn't bad enough, today I noticed that Amazon has a listing for a forthcoming holiday album by Scott Weiland. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is scheduled for a late November release. However, there's no album art or track listing, only the briefest of summaries, and no mention of the disc (yet) on Weiland's official web site (golly, it must be fun to be that webmaster). There is, however, this news item from September, in which Scott promises the "very traditional" disc will include a reggae version of "Little Drummer Boy." Really? Let's leave Reggae Christmas to Count Floyd, shall we, Scott?

Fruitcake!

Here's the video for the first single from the aforementioned Fred Schneider Christmas album.



There are already a ton of new Xmas titles piling up on my desk (Shelby Lynne, the Puppini Sisters, Cameo-Parkway holiday singles comp) so expect the reviews to start coming fast and furious soon.