Incredible solo piano performances of original compositions, plus classics like "The Holly and the Ivy", "Carol of the Bells", and Pachelbel's "Canon".

Remastered version of her classic Christmas album, beautifully sung, and tastefully arranged by Peter Schickele.

One of the first - and best - brass Christmas albums. Their arrangement of "Twelve Days of Christmas" is a familiar classic.

The first of several early-music Christmas collections from this sublime four-woman choral group.

His stable of girl groups created a rock n'roll Christmas card - lots of fun.

There are several good versions of this, the most beautiful choral piece ever written. This is one of my favorites - there's also a 1-disc "highlights" version available.

The first of a long series from Windham Hill artists, and still one of the best - peaceful and inspiring.

There must be a hundred "celtic Christmas" collections out there, but this Windham Hill series was the first, and still the best. Gentle and gorgeous - you can almost hear the snow falling.

Their classic 1960's Christmas album (featuring "Little Saint Nick"), plus tracks from their unreleased 1970's sequel, and assorted rarities - a Yuletide treat!

The great Canadian singer-songwriter's collection of original and traditional tunes. Rootsy, folky, and very fine.

B.B. has always sung "Merry Christmas, Baby" like he owns it, and here he's in top form, performing it again with several other bluesy holiday standards.

Maddy Prior (of Steeleye Span fame) and the Carnival Band present carols with an Olde English flavor. Very enjoyable.

Alternatively reverent and fun, complete with entertaining inserts, this box set of EP's is Sufjan at his quirky-genius best - a fine collection familiar and original holiday tunes.

McKennitt's gorgeous voice and trademark lush Celtic/World music arrangements are a great match for this set of traditional carols. This CD contains new material and the five tracks from the previously-released EP "A Winter Garden".

Sweet honeyed voice, kind of a cross between Norah Jones and Emmylou Harris. Mellow alt-country originals and some fine covers of Christmas standards, too.

Don't let the low reviews scare you off (based on only 4 as of this writing). This is a fine collection from one of the underappreciated "jangle-pop" bands of the 1980's, and an impressive bunch of "friends" like Big Star, Whiskeytown and Marshall Crenshaw. Expanded to 21 tracks in its last release.

The first of a series that, in my opinion, is the best of the "pop/rock" Christmas collections - eclectic and diva-free. And for a good cause (the Special Olympics).

Sarah's ethereal voice lends a wistful mood to old and new favorites, including her previously recorded version of Gordon Lightfoot's "Song for a Winter's Night".