No one said it'd be easy, but give Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" a quick break. And imagine a country Christmas with folkie Mindy Smith's beautifully lit-up "My Holiday." Or pretend cutie-patootie Josh Groban is unleashing his smooth operatic voice – on your lap. Or take it from Patti LaBelle. And just jam – or snooze?
Josh Groban
'Noel'
B+
You know, size really is overrated. Unless you're Josh Groban, and that's your draw. We know zilch about his pecker – but if, like foot-size, supposedly, a voice is any indication, we could venture to guess that his would look something like an anaconda (now isn't that something you'd like draped around the tree?). Instead, you'll have to settle for that voice – the shining star atop every album he's released, including his majestic holiday debut, "Noel." The operatic-voiced baby face spreads the yuletide cheer with decorating-helpers like Faith Hill, Brian McKnight and the entire London Symphony Orchestra. In true tradition, the "Noel" numbers tend to transition from gentle ballad to lush, sweeping grandiosity. Take Hill-coupled "First Noel": An unexpected pairing whose sparse piano creeps in – and then wham! Drums. Strings. A churchy choir. And Hill – who knew she could keep up with Groban's bombastic belting? The choir beautifies the already-stirring "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," and Groban takes the road-less-traveled – you know, the one that's not so musically-voluptuous – on "The Christmas Song" and the weeper "I'll be Home for Christmas," which features Christmas call-outs from soldiers overseas. Big, or small, Groban's got it.
Over The Rhine
'Snow Angels'
A-
There are only so many times "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" can be spun before someone puts some rat poison in his milk – and then, decidedly, St. Nick won't be making his rounds. That's why we owe a party-sized platter of sugar cookies to folkie duo Over The Rhine, who are known for their lyrically-deft melancholy goodness. Think simple melodies minus the juvenile innocence of, say, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Their poetic pieces, which trade cheery holiday jingles for an eerie aura of blues, are like getting gifts wrapped in pages from Emily Dickinson poetry collections. The achingly beautiful "Snow Angels" ranks with quasi-Christmas gems, like Joni Mitchell's lost-love heart-wrencher "River," and is simply one of the best holiday recordings in years. Karin Bergquist's quiet voice dovetails the delicate piano, played by bandmate Linford Detweiler, telling the tale of a grief-stricken woman who learns of her husband's death in the Civil War – which still rings true today: "Goodbye to this cruel wicked world/And all the tears I've cried/Snow angel, snow angel/I'll meet you in the sky." "Here It Is" is a guitar-driven ditty, coated with a catchy chorus where Bergquist declares, "I'm wrapping up my love this Christmas." Not all of "Snow Angels" is a downer: "Snowed in with You" is a jazzy, romantic morsel, and album-closer "We're Gonna Pull Through" offers a silver lining. Like gazing out the window at the snow lifting from the ground and blowing toward the dark sky, "Snow Angels" is a dreamy musical batch baked to perfection.
See & Hear: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, The Ark, Ann Arbor, www.theark.org
Mindy Smith
'My Holiday'
A-
Quiet, cozy and Christmas-dinner worthy – Mindy Smith's quintessential "My Holiday" is a yummy treat that builds a fire of its own. The young country chanteuse weaves the hushed intimacy of classics with primo originals like "I Know the Reason," where Smith's sweet-as-cider voice blends beautifully with Thad Cockrell's husky chops. Smith and co-producer Steve Buckingham light-up a mix that maintains a gentle, ethereal aura. Broken only with the religious upbeat "Come Around," midtempos like the jazzy slow-dancer "It Really is (a Wonderful Life)" and a stellar, sonically re-imagined "I'll be Home for Christmas," Smith's girly soprano shines – and the melodies? A helluva lot thicker than those frail pieces on her sophomore set. Yep: Think eggnog consistency. Just not icky.
Patti LaBelle
'Miss Patti's Christmas'
C+
Truth is: Most big-named crooners steer their sleigh straight through a set of standards just to score a quick buck – and end up crashing into someone's roof. On "Miss Patti's Christmas," Patti LaBelle takes the longwinded Santa route – albeit to undercooked results – adding a sizzling synth-beat to the giddy-Godly gem "Nativity," one of four fresh holiday treats. But the sprinkled snaps, the lo-fi production and the pleasant background vocals on remake "Do You Hear What I Hear?" make me ask: "No, Patti, we aren't hearing what you're hearing, 'cause sure, your erratic belting prevails, but is it nap time already? I haven't even got to the ham." No doubt, there are songs that not even Jesus could save – and there's a whole lotta him here. But LaBelle's still-fine voice sounds best on the original ornaments, like the groovy "Christmas Jam," and not when she's stuffing us with some snoozers. She closes with "Away in a Manager." Seriously – "The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay" never rang so true.
