Dec 20, 2002 By Scripps Howard News Service 5 min read

Are you planning on rocking around the Christmas tree? Or do you prefer smooth jazz by a crackling fire? Does a classical holiday concerto ring your bells, or would you rather have a cool country Yule? Santa’s bag is bulging this year with holiday tunes of just about every musical style. While the greatest number of new offerings are from country and jazz artists, there are plenty of choices for stuffing those stockings.

Here’s a sampling of some of the more memorable holiday releases of 2002:

“Christmas Extraordinaire,” Mannheim Steamroller (American Gramaphone): Chip Davis and his instrumental steamroller are once again rolling over the competition with a collection of neo-Renaissance carols and Christmas classics. Since the first Steamroller Christmas disc hit the shelves in 1983, Davis has just about dominated the holiday music charts. He manages to infuse Christmas spirit and joy into all the songs, whether it’s a reverent ballad like “Away in a Manger” or a roof-shaking orchestral number like Handel’s “Messiah.” A surprise treat is singer Johnny Mathis’ velvety crooning on “O Tannenbaum.” Ever the marketing genius, Davis is making the new release available as a single disc, a DVD, or in a set with Manheim Steamroller’s three previous chart-topping Christmas discs.

“A Windham Hill Christmas,” Various Artists (Windham Hill): An eclectic mix of musical styles, all united by their holiday themes and classy instrumental flourishes. Among the highlights are Tim Story’s tranquil keyboard duet with oboist Kimberly Bryden on “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” Jim Brickman’s solo piano version of “O Holy Night,” and the fluid fretwork of Steve Erquiga on nylon-string guitar on “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

“Maybe This Christmas,” Various Artists (Nettwerk): A rock-solid collection from a variety of rock and pop artists, this mixed bag of Christmas goodies includes such top-shelf performances as Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” Coldplay’s crooning “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and the irresistibly fun and jazzy version of “Rudolph” by Jack Johnson. A novelty number by Ben Folds, “Bizarre Christmas Incident,” gets old real fast. Part of the proceeds go to Toys for Tots.

“Wishes,” Kenny G (Arista): Sweet, syrupy, and safe – those ingredients have helped make Mr. Gorlick the best-selling instrumentalist of all time. The soprano saxophonist whom real jazz lovers love to hate takes few chances on “Wishes,” a straightforward collection of standard holiday fare with supple orchestral backing on such songs as “Joy to the World,” “Do You Hear What I Hear” and “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” The only exceptions are the unremarkable title cut, a gentle G original, and a “Freedom Mix” version of “Auld Lang Syne,” featuring historic radio clips – JFK, Jackie Robinson, John Lennon – dubbed into the music.

“December,” Chris Botti (Columbia): Smooth jazz can have soul, as trumpeter Chris Botti demonstrates in this simple but elegant collection of classics. He spreads good tidings on such upbeat numbers as “Winter Wonderland,” giving it a New Orleans spin, and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” But Botti seems to acknowledge that the holidays are not always joyous for all, putting a poignant touch on such classics as “First Noel” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The trumpeter shows vocal talent as well on Richard Marx’s “Perfect Day.”

“Bluegrass and White Snow,” Patty Lovelace (Columbia): From the first vocal twang of “Away in a Manger” to the fiddle fadeout on “Bluegrass, White Snow,” Lovelace celebrates her roots in her music and her life on this solid country collection of classics and originals. Among her stellar guests are Amy Grant and Vince Gill on “Silver Bells,” Trisha Yearwood on “Silent Night,” and Emmylou Harris on “Joy to the World.”

“It Won’t Be Christmas Without You,” Brooks & Dunn (Arista): Honky tonk meets pop rock with this duo’s guitar-powered performances of such standards as “Winter Wonderland” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.” The title cut is a lonely love song on slow burn.

“Christmas,” Plus One (Atlantic): For moms who think squeaky-clean pop bands like ‘N Sync and Backstreet Boys are a bad influence on their kids, Plus One is a much squeakier and cleaner alternative. The Christian pop vocal band does a decent – in all respects of the word – job singing traditional Christmas favorites with a sense of spiritual conviction.

“White Trash Christmas,” Bob Rivers (Atlantic): Rivers gives the gift of goofy holiday fun with this wacky collection of song parodies, some obvious and some more sophisticated. Among the highlights: “Osama Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” “Be Claus I Got High” and “Have Yourself an Ozzy Little Christmas.”

“The Ultimate Classical Christmas Album of All Time,” Various Artists (Sony): The title is quite a boast, but as the sports saying goes, it ain’t bragging if you can back it up. The two-disc set features an amazing lineup that includes the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy, and Jean-Pierre Rampal with Michel Legrand and the London Symphony Orchestra. Stirringly beautiful is “Watts’ Cradle Hymn” by Emma Kirkby and the Westminster Abbey Choir.

“Christmas All Over the World,” Various Artists (Sony): This wonderful collection of Christmas vocal performances includes the Three Tenors as a trio and in other vocal combinations, Charlotte Church, Tony Bennett, Ying Huang and Sarah Brightman. A powerful collection that will never lose its luster.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.shns.com.)