The record is actually a compilation of the best songs from James Brown's three previous holiday albums recorded between 1966 and 1970: James Brown Sings Christmas Songs, A Soulful Christmas, and Hey America.

This was the fourth album Sinatra recorded in a very good year, and he sings like he has the universe effortlessly balanced on the brim of his hat. IMPORTANT : Please note that we use third party images in most of our listings, so the image you see may not be of the actual item you are purchasing. The stylistic invention and off-handed majesty never let up; their plaintively ringing "Silver Bells" is as pretty as a Velvet Underground benediction.And the whopping 42 tunes range from holiday classics to originals, such as the ode to stressed-out parents, "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever! This album, despite probably being bought about two decades ago, never gets old – in a metaphorical sense anyway – the disc itself is covered in scratches and most of the songs feature a few jerkily repeated lines. The highlight: Claudine Longet’s delicate confection of strings, acoustic guitar and breathy vocals, Snow. Death Row's Suge Knight-era dominance was cresting when the label posse got together for this album (minus Dr. Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is a triumph from start to finish – no schmaltz, no excess, just one beautiful arrangement and incredible, seemingly effortless vocal after another.

Trinity College Choir, Cambridge: Silent Night; O Come All Ye Faithful; While Shepherds Watched; Ding Dong! Brian May had help in compiling the album from several other musicians, alongside Ashley Abram (who normally compiles all The Best. The early Beach Boys could turn National Podiatrist Recognition Day into a party, so you know they're gonna knock Christmas out of the park. The expanded, two-disc 1984 version is a veritable schmaltz blizzard of vaguely terrifying good cheer.

Released in 1957, the same year as Elvis Presley's hit Christmas album, Sinatra's first Christmas record is like a conservative op-ed in response to the King's subtly radical bumrush. If you time it so you pass out while the album-ending instrumental “Christmas Blues” is rolling by, you may get lucky and sleep ’til New Year’s Eve. There’s also gospel on offer and masterful ballads: the version of I’ll Be Home for Christmas is genuinely heartbreaking.

It's composed of five EPs Stevens made for loved ones through the years, many of whom helped complete the set, giving the Christmas album's aura an extra personable touch. Quite sparsely arranged, it allows the Roche sisters’ harmonies to dazzle – the acappella Star of Wonder is magical – while their New York-accented Winter Wonderland is an absolute hoot. But when he taps the nostalgic tug of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," it's mistletoe magic.It’s quite discouraging to compare my voice, struggling to hit 80 per cent of the notes, to the singer who I rediscover every year is actually a twelve year old boy.