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!

I always loved their older material better, with just the organ accompaniment, not the symphonic bombast. This is one of the few collections on CD of their earlier recordings.

Probably the best "country" Christmas album ever. New and familiar carols rendered by Emmylou's angelic voice, and friends like Neil Young and Linda Ronstadt. This release features new bonus tracks.

Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band are great, but here's Maddy with her original band. A strong return to form - sublime harmony and instrumentation, but also the rockin'est "Good King Wenceslas" you've ever heard.

A rockin' good time from the venerable Jersey band, with original songs, standards, and interesting covers, like "Christmas" from the Who's "Tommy" and the rare Beatles tune "Christmas Time is Here Again."

The best Irish-American women's group around does familiar carols and less-familiar Celtic tunes, by turns beautiful and sprightly.

Warm and homey alt-folk from Sufjan Stevens pal with a voice reminiscent of Shawn Colvin. She tweaks the melodies of familiar tunes to good effect, and the original "Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year" could be a classic in the making.

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".