Music review: ‘An Americana Christmas’ – Various Artists
After collecting nearly 125 Christmas albums over the last 20 years, you might say that I鈥檓 a Christmas music junkie.
Despite this extensive musical collection, I still get excited when the new releases come out each year. While I am thoroughly enjoying the current holiday albums by artists such as Sara Evans, Idina Menzel, Renee Fleming and Darius Rucker, my favorite is a rootsy assortment of engaging tunes. 鈥淎n Americana Christmas鈥� delivers 10 classic Christmas arrangements and six brand-new holiday numbers from a wide variety of talented artists.
A stripped-down version of 鈥淭he First Noel鈥� by Emmylou Harris and a spirited offering by Bob Dylan on 鈥淢ust Be Santa鈥� highlight the set of inviting songs sure to warm even the coldest heart.
Johnny Cash delivers the true reason for the season with the moving 鈥淭he Gifts They Gave,鈥� while Robert Ellis keeps it simple with only drums, piano and vocals on 鈥淧retty Paper.鈥� Ronnie Fauss lightens the mood with his holiday jailhouse tale on 鈥淓verybody Deserves a Merry Christmas.鈥�
鈥淛ust Me and These Ponies (For Christmas This Year)鈥� is sure to stir up a tear or two as Corb Lund sings of the loneliness associated with being separated from friends and family during this special time of year.
John Prine masks the heartache of lost love on 鈥淓verything Is Cool鈥� and Dwight Yoakam adds his unique country twang to the rousing 鈥淩un Run Rudolph.鈥� The Band brings the album to a celebrated close with a treasured version of 鈥淐hristmas Must Be Tonight.鈥�
Christmas is about Christ, family, friends and taking the time to enjoy and share the many blessings we receive every day. 鈥淎n Americana Christmas鈥� is sure to make your holiday memorable, merry and bright.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.