As pop's finest dig out their Santa hats to deliver another stocking stuffed with Christmas albums, the Mail's music critic, ADRIAN THRILLS, sorts the crackers from the turkeys.
NORAH JONES: I Dream Of Christmas (Blue Note)
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Jones has always been a more playful performer than her downbeat image might suggest, and her first festive album is a convivial affair. The Texan singer was inspired to write some seasonal songs after listening to James Brown's Funky Christmas and Elvis's 1957 Christmas Album — although there are only passing nods to those two giants here.
She lends her languid vocals to the Elvis ballad Blue Christmas, but many of the best moments arrive as she decks the halls with her own compositions. The yearning Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones) explores the desire for winter companionship and It's Only Christmas Once A Year is a post-pandemic number fuelled by her intricate piano work.
Backed by brass, flute and cello, she reverts to her 'jazz nerd' roots on some classy covers, bringing a warm-hearted glow to White Christmas and Chuck Berry's Run Rudolph Run. She also serves up a mellow version of Christmas Don't Be Late. The latter was a high-pitched 1950s novelty hit for Alvin And The Chipmunks — a virtual band long before Damon Albarn came up with the idea for Gorillaz.
Norah Jones performs at the 89th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Pre-Tape at Rockefeller Center on November 30, 2021 in New York City
KELLY CLARKSON: When Christmas Comes Around . . . (Atlantic)
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The bubbly former American Idol winner might have been expected to take on the role of tinsel-clad cheerleader, but Clarkson brings something fresh to the Christmas table on her second seasonal effort. Made in the aftermath of her divorce, finalised four months ago, it isn't quite a Yuletide break-up album — but it comes pretty close.
'You send gifts that someone else picks,' she laments on country-pop ballad Merry Christmas Baby. On Christmas Isn't Cancelled (Just You), she asserts her desire to move on, and the equally damning Merry Christmas (To The One I Used To Know) finds her in full-on Barbra Streisand mode.
It's not all prickly holly. Clarkson is one of pop's most powerful singers, and her no-nonsense style is augmented by suitably grand orchestrations. She tackles Santa Baby with saucy aplomb and transforms George Michael's Last Christmas into a jazz ballad.
Santa Can't You Hear Me, a dazzling duet with Ariana Grande, sees two of American pop's big guns affectionately trading punches.
PISTOL ANNIES: Hell Of A Holiday (Sony)
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Nashville supergroup the Pistol Annies bring their irreverent take on country to the festive market on an album of songs about mama's cherry pie, Christmas pageants and pool-hall cowboys passing round the candy canes.
On Harlan County Coal, the trio — Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and
