ANALYSIS/OPINION:
There’s something about the cover photo of the 2012 album “Cheers, It’s Christmas,” showing Blake Shelton perched awkwardly on the arm of a leather sofa in front of a fireplace, that underscores how predictably commercial holiday music offerings have become.
Certainly Mr. Shelton is talented. One doesn’t usually achieve the level of arena-filling, multiple-award-winning artist without it. In fairness too, it sure sounds like he and his wife, Miranda Lambert, artistic friends including Reba McEntire and even his mom, Dorothy Shackleford, had fun recording the songs, including “Blue Christmas,” made famous by Elvis Presley.
But does anyone really question this was a wholly commercial project?
It’s certainly not the first, or the most commercial (contenders for that must include the 2012 “This Christmas,” by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta).
The good news for holiday lovers is that there are some artists who release holiday albums that bring a joyous, modern sound to the season. Here are some of our new favorites:
• Debi Smith, “If I Were an Angel” (Degan Music)
Residents of Washington, D.C., know that Debi Smith is a longtime member of the wildly popular folk group Four Bitchin’ Babes, which was formed by the extraordinary Christine Lavin. What a joy for us that Ms. Smith has turned her lush, three-octave vocals and songwriting prowess toward making our holiday season bright too.
Ms. Smith’s latest 14-track offering, her first composing and performing with an orchestra, includes only one traditional carol, the magnificently presented “O Holy Night.”
But her original songs are crafted with just the right mix of fresh perspective, from “Snow, Snow, Snow,” a midtempo romp of caroling, cocoa and snow, to a soulful rendering of “A Baby Cries.” A true delight of modern holiday music.
• St. Agnes Fountain, “Christmas Is Not Far Away” (Cuppity Records)
If there is holiday music more beautiful than that played by St. Agnes Fountain, I have yet to find it.
Band members Chris Leslie, chief songwriter, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist from Fairport Convention; singer/songwriter David Hughes, an all-around Renaissance man who plays guitar and ukulele; and Chris While and Julie Matthews (of the renowned English folk duo While and Matthews) would likely scoff at the term “supergroup,” but there’s no other way to describe them.
Don’t think that description is shorthand for staid. The lush harmonies, intricate acoustic arrangements — fiddle, guitar, banjo, bodhran, whistles and more — make this far from standard fare.
Certainly the title track and songs such as Mr. Leslie’s “One Cold Winter’s Eve” (a true standout track) are steeped in traditional sound, but others, such as Ms. Matthews’ “The Heart of Christmas Day” and Mr. Hughes’ “Immortal, Invisible,” put modern twists on the season.
And for those wanting a graduate lesson in arrangement and musicianship, don’t miss “Old Time Christmas on the Front Porch.” Holiday magic, indeed.
• Darius Rucker, “Home for the Holidays” (Universal Nashville)
You’re to be forgiven if you still think of Mr. Rucker as the frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish. He still proudly performs with the band when he’s not touring and recording music as a top-selling, award-winning country artist.
What sets this album apart from those by so many other household-name artists is the obvious delight in Mr. Rucker’s vocals as he sings “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with guest Sheryl Crow.
True, the songs tend to meld together, with no obvious standout tracks, but Mr. Rucker, a family man himself, has created a festive soundtrack for family holidays.
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