Discs Full of Merriment

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

Classic holiday music and movies can be delightful year after year. But eventually, the need for something new strikes. These selections will please listeners and viewers of widely different tastes — from sultry jazz tunes to exuberant Polish folk songs, from a modern dance version of “The Nutcracker” to a look back at Christmas during World War I.

“Noël”
Josh Groban

Josh Groban’s “Noël” might seem like the orchestral holiday extravaganza that fans would expect, but in fact, there are a few surprises. The old standard “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” takes on new poignancy and relevance as the voices of American servicemen overseas send season’s greetings to their loved ones. The album also features duets with R&B crooner Brian McKnight on “Angels We Have Heard on High” and country star Faith Hill on “The First Noël.” The bold strokes on “Noël” are intended for the widest possible appeal, and it works.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
Holly Cole

Holly Cole’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” stands out as an eclectic set of songs — an unusual album that trades saccharine holiday cheer for slow-burn coziness. After all, it takes a brave soul to cover Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December,” a song about the hardship of getting laid off from the factory right before the holidays.

The American debut of this disc comes six years after its original Canadian release. Ms. Cole — whose lush voice has a seductive, mellow edge — picks up where her 1989 EP “Christmas Blues” left off. Backed sparsely by her trio and an occasional horn section, the intimate “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” transcends the cash-in nature of holiday music.

“Christmas Set From Poland”
Mazowsze

This album is a selection of traditional holiday music by Polish folk choral/dance ensemble Mazowsze, which formed in 1948 and was sporadically featured on PBS. The disc comes housed in a cute cardboard gift box complete with 12 handmade ornaments. The joyous music is a blissful change of pace from the sameness on the airwaves during the shopping season. Along with the modest yet intricate ornaments, this set makes a thoughtful present and conversation piece for holiday gatherings.

“A Disney Channel Holiday”
Various Artists

This compilation CD includes the voices of the Disney Channel’s beloved stable of stars, including Miley Cyrus, Corbin Bleu, Aly & AJ, Ashley Tisdale, the Jonas Brothers, and the Cheetah Girls. While some of the songs are contemporary updates on holiday classics, others are original compositions that offer catchy rhythms that children can learn. And these tunes won’t be hard on parental ears, either. In fact, it might give parents a good reason to give “High School Musical 2” a well-deserved rest.

“The Christmas Truce”
The History Channel

During World War I, German and British soldiers on the Western Front initiated a temporary truce. This documentary program takes a look at the moment when soldiers from both sides greeted one another peacefully in the no-man’s-land between the front lines. “The Christmas Truce” features eyewitness accounts of this rare moment when humanity prevailed. The same event also served as the basis for the Oscar-nominated French film “Joyeux Noël” (2005), but it is just as affirming here without any dramatization.

“This Is Tom Jones: Christmas”
Time Life

Silly skits were a staple of the television show “This Is Tom Jones,” a popular variety show from the late 1960s and ’70s. Its Christmas specials kept up the lively act. This disc compiles some of those specials, including the 1970 feature in which the perennial beefcake host, Tom Jones, invited jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald to appear. Though she didn’t sing carols, the first lady of song performed “Good Morning Blues,” “My Ship,” and “Sunny” — all of which are something to behold.

“The Hard Nut”
Nonesuch

In 1991, choreographer Mark Morris collaborated with graphic artist Charles Burns on a modern dance version of “The Nutcracker.” It was daring and visionary then, and it remains so today — more than a decade later. First presented at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, it is unforgettable for its humor, theatrical dance, and bold decors. Complete with an illustrated program and must-view featurettes, this overdue DVD release should prove satisfying for those who love dance — and for those looking for a fun introduction.

“Unaccompanied Minors”
Warner Home Video

“Unaccompanied Minors” is about youngsters gone wild while stranded in an airport on Christmas Eve. While the 2006 film — made by the creator of “Freaks and Geeks” — isn’t exactly “Home Alone,” it does have an entertaining cast plucked from TV land: Wilmer Valderrama, Tyler James Williams, Lewis Black, and three “Kids in the Hall” alumni. It’s a pleasant diversion to entertain the family.


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