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Barry Manilow sings Christmas tunes in his new album "In the Swing of Christmas."
/ Courtesy of SonyBMG |
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Christmas is just around the corner, and if you haven't been feeling the holiday spirit, then maybe it's time to pick up a Christmas album.
Established artists like Bob Dylan and Barry Manilow, along with rising pop singer David Archuleta are giving a fresh take on Christmas carols. Classic Christmas albums by Nat King Cole, Placido Domingo and Leonard Bernstein are also being re-released in time for the holiday season.
Dylan caused a stir when he decided to release his first Christmas album in his 46 year career. The rock icon, more known for his cynical tunes than cheerful carols, will give the proceeds from the album to charity.
 Dylan's ``Christmas In The Heart'' is straightforwardly nostalgic, from the traditional cover featuring a horse-driven sleigh to the selection of songs. At first it sounds disconcerting to hear him sing about Santa Claus, snowflakes, angels, drummer boys and winter wonderlands, but there's a touch of warmth in the songs.
His croaky voice sounds sincere enough in ``The Christmas Blues'' and ``I'll Be Home for Christmas,'' and even jolly in ``Must Be Santa.'' Dylan's Christmas album is sort of what you can imagine Scrooge would have sounded like if he had decided to break out in song at the end of ``A Christmas Carol.''
Meanwhile, Manilow offers an album of yuletide tunes: ``In the Swing of Christmas.'' It was originally released in 2007 in the United States, but it is only now hitting stores in Korea.
``My favorite holiday memories are of the music ― all those great Christmas classics that filled our small apartment. For this CD, I chose songs that take me back to that good feeling,'' Manilow said, in the album's notes.
The American crooner succeeds in putting listeners in a jovial mood with upbeat versions of ``Jingle Bells,'' ``Joy to the World/It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year'' and ``Count Your Blessings.''
 On the other hand, Archuleta, who finished as the runner-up on season 7 of "American Idol," releases his first holiday album ``Christmas From the Heart.'' The album mainly features slow, soulful versions of ``Joy to the World,'' ``Silent Night,'' ``O Come All Ye Faithful'' and ``O Holy Night.''
With his squeaky clean image and clear voice, Archuleta is perfectly suited to these Christmas carols. Also included are two pop tracks, ``Melodies of Christmas'' and ``Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,'' which he sings in a duet with rising Filipino singer Charice Pempengco.
Nat King Cole is perhaps the singer most identified with Christmas. His version of ``The Christmas Song,'' written in 1945 by Robert Wells, was originally recorded in 1961 and has become an all-time favorite.
Even though dozens of artists have remade the song, only Cole singing the lines (i.e. ``Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…'') truly get you in the mood to spread the holiday cheer.
 Warner Music Korea has re-released ``The Christmas Song,'' featuring the 16 original tracks plus four bonus songs. Thanks to music technology, Natalie Cole sings with her father on a lovely new version of ``The Christmas Song,'' while R&B singer Anthony Hamilton lends his vocals to ``Buon Natale.''
SonyBMG Korea also released ``Christmas Carols,'' a special set featuring four discs for the price of one. The included albums are: ``Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols,'' ``Placido Domingo and the Vienna Choir Boys: Ave Maria,'' Eileen Farrell's ``Carols for Christmas'' and Leonard Bernstein's ``The Joy of Christmas.'' It's a good compilation of songs that people will be listening to every Christmas for years to come.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr |
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