This year, Dillards has gone country: the opener is "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" performed by Steve Wariner. Next up is Lorrie Morgan (with the New World Philharmonic) doing "Sleigh Ride"... nice, but then again, I could just listen to her hum *L*. Suzy Bogguss does a lovely version of "I'll Be Home For Christmas," so nice I think I could listen to either her voice without the instruments, or the instrumental accompaniment alone over and over (but I much prefer them together *L*). Talk about over and over, Diamond Rio's "Christmas Spirit" is one of those newer Christmas song that could become a classic, and repeat is not a bad setting at all. Something lively, rockin', kickin' ? Little Texas' "Here Comes Santa Claus" makes you want to get up and dance ! On one of last year's Target CD's, I called Deana Carter's' performance of "Carol Of The Bells" "the winner." Dillards wisely chose to include it in their collection this year. What else is up ? Randy Travis invites you to "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe" (I love this version!), Shenandoah takes you to a "Winter Wonderland," and Sawyer Brown tells you "Where Christmas Goes." Where it goes on this CD is to Trace Adkins' closer, "The Christmas Song" (you know, "chestnuts roasting...). What a buy !

The 1998 offering has some classics, which are hard to find elsewhere - Morton Gould and the RCA Symphony, "Good King Wenceslas"; "Joy To The World" by the London Symphony Orchestra; James Galway doing "Adeste Fideles"; Pery Como's "Ave Maria"; Boston Pops doing "Silent Night"; Gladys Knight and the Pips, "Do You Hear What I Hear"; Peabo Bryson and Sandy Patty, "O Holy Night"; others by the Canadian Brass, the Robert Shaw Chorale, Royal Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and others. This one has class ! And, has 16 selections, nearly an hour long.

What a beautiful variety of music on this one ! There's something for everyone, just by a listing, but there are gems here by singers you might not be familiar with, or who you've not heard any Christmas music by. For instance, Donna Summer does "O Come All Ye Faithful" in a style you'd not associate with the one-time disco queen. Aaron Neville has the opening track, "Please Come Home For Christmas." I don't recall anything by Aaron Neville I didn't like. I think there might have been a few songs by Carly Simon I didn't like, but I love her voice, and I sure do love it here as she performs "The Night Before Christmas" (song, NOT a recital of the famous poem *L*). Alan Jackson does "Holly Jolly Christmas" so well that if radio played it more, THIS could become the new standard version of this tune (sorry, Burl). Harry Belafonte does "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" - he's another who has never turned in a less than perfect performance. I love Melissa Manchester's voice - you should hear how I rave about her ! - she does "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Lorrie Morgan's contribution here is "Up On Santa Claus Mountain" - the kids voices on this one add a special feeling to this song. John Berry does "O Come O Come Emmanuel." I was not familiar with him, but enjoyed this. Alabama does "Christmas In Dixie," and Kenny Rogers closes the disc with "My Favorite Things."
But wait, there's more ! The 1997 collection included a second disc for the youngsters (and yound at heart) - The Chipmunks, performing "The Chipmunk Song" and other Christmas songs, 10 in all, in their unique style *L* Allllllllllvinnn !

THIS meeting is called to order by the chairman of the board... Frank Sinatra, singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas"... can't go wrong with Frank... Amy Grant is a Christmas favorite of mine, and her "Santa's Reindeer Ride" follows... Then, "May Christmas Bring You Happiness," a lively tune done by Luther Vandross... not his usual fare, but done well in that great voice of his... I think the Christmas song most closely associated with Dolly Parton is "Hard Candy Christmas." It's up next... well, not real up, but I won't let it bring me way down... Vince Gill sings "Let There Be Peace On Earth"... Wow !... Dean Martin does "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"... so smooth... miss his music... wonder if he and Frank and Sammy are maybe gathered around singing carols now (as I write this a week before Christmas)... John Berry's "O Holy Night" (the title track of Berry's 1995 Christmas album) is next, and then, Nat King Cole with "O Little Town Of Bethlehem"... Andy Williams then spreads a little "Joy To The World"... the weakest number on this CD, but still pretty nice, Anne Murray closes with "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear."

Barry Manilow - it seems Barry, like Bolton & a few others - you love him or hate him... if you've dismissed him without a good listen, try some of his recent jazz influenced CD's... in any case, his "Because It's Christmas" is here, interesting, but it may have to grow on you - it's a different kind of Christmas tune... next up is Diana Ross and the Supremes with "Silent Night," not sounding like you'd expect them to; then Bing Crosby's "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," sounding exactly like what you'd expect... Something for everyone, it seems, huh ? What about country fans ? Tanya Tucker does "What Child Is This?" and it's one of my favorite versions of this song. Vince Gill sings "Do You Hear What I Hear?" - delightful... you ought to have at least one of his Christmas CDs in your collection - I recommend his most recent, Breath of Heaven... THE classic Christmas song, "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole is included, followed by Aretha Franklin with a lovely "Winter Wonderland." Bebe and Cece Winans deliver a "White Christmas" that somehow just does not grab me. Steven Curtis Chapman" gives a decent reading of "Away In A Manger," but again... it's missing something for me. Willie Nelson closes this CD with his classic "Pretty Paper," which I like immensely.

Remember, the stores' exclusive collections from prior years are ocassionally available in some stores - or through classified ads, garage sales or used CD stores.