Have A Fun Christmas CD

The percentage of Americans who are weary of the standard roster of Christmas songs--"Silent Night" and "Joy to the World," among others--is probably quite large. For some listeners, a lifetime of hearing these songs ad infinitum has begun to take its toll. Fortunately, the 20th century has seen a bumper crop of seasonal standards. Some of these tunes lack the weight of tradition, and this quality is part of their appeal. This is holiday music that is often humorous and goes easy on the religious themes, making it more generally accessible.

HAVE A FUN CHRISTMAS collects some of the best of these lighthearted tunes on one disc. Jokes and good times are the keynotes here, as on Elmo & Patsy's darkly witty "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" and the Chipmunks' classic "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)." But there is also the warm familiarity of show biz personalities (Louis Armstrong's "'Zat You, Santa Claus?"), as well as some rock & roll holiday riffs (Bobby Helm's "Jingle Bell Rock"). But the highlight of the album may be the McKenzie Brothers' brilliantly hilarious "Twelve Days of Christmas," which forever transforms the sanctity and romance of the original into something far sillier. Try this album for a refreshing change of holiday pace.

Brenda Lee,Burl Ives,Chipmunks ,Elmo & Patsy,Singing Dogs ++