This holiday season once again sees Music City giving the North Pole a run for its money with a slew of Nashville-made musical treats. The quantity’s impressive, but so is the care taken into many of these efforts. Whether it’s a glossy, string-laden production or a homegrown labor of love, these Nashville music-makers are aiming to be part of listeners’ seasonal soundtracks for years to come.
Charlie Daniels, “Hallelujah: It’s Christmas Time Again”
Charlie Daniels celebrates the season — and makes a memorable Christmas for thousands of Middle Tennessee children — every year with his annual “Christmas 4 Kids” fundraising concert (this year’s was in November). The country mainstay has made a good habit of releasing Christmas albums, too, and his newest features some old favorites, including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and Daniels’ short story “A Carolina Christmas Carol.”
The disc is sold exclusively at Buffets Inc. restaurants and benefits the Armed Services YMCA for Operation Outdoors, a program that assists children of military personnel during deployment.
— Dave Paulson, The Tennessean
Various Artists, “A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary” (Big Machine Records), “A Very Special Christmas: Bringing Peace on Earth” (Word Records)
Nashville labels Big Machine Records and Word Records bring together stars of rock, pop, country and Christian music for two albums celebrating the 25th anniversary of “A Very Special Christmas,” the popular album series that benefits the Special Olympics. Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Vince Gill and Amy Grant are among the local stars featured alongside Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews Band and Train, whose funky pop take on “Joy to the World” was cut in town.
— Dave Paulson, The Tennessean
Richard Marx, “Christmas Spirit” (TourDForce / UMG’s INgrooves Fontana)
While no stranger to Nashville, having recently scored a hit (as co-songwriter) with Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer,” Richard Marx chose to return to Music City to record his first full Christmas album. He wrangled local session players along with members of the Nashville Symphony to create a remarkably lush collection of songs. He also enlisted vocals from Nickel Creek’s Sarah Watkins on “Silent Night,” as well as Kenny Loggins on “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
— Jim Myers, The Tennessean
Colbie Caillat, “Christmas in the Sand” (Universal Republic)
Caillat, a California-born singer-songwriter best known for her acoustic pop hit “Bubbly,” is getting ready to make Music City a part-time home. She invited a few of her Nashville friends — country star Brad Paisley and pop/rocker Gavin DeGraw — to join her on duets of “Merry Christmas, Baby” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” But Caillat’s own Christmas songs are the real stars of “Sand.” She conjures up a sunny season with ukelele, sleigh bells and a sweet vocal on the title track, and packs bright melodies into inspired originals “Mistletoe” and “Happy Christmas.”
— Dave Paulson, The Tennessean
Mandisa, “It’s Christmas” (Sparrow Records)
While some Christmas albums can be as predictable as Uncle Chester falling asleep in his eggnog, creative song selections are especially welcome this time of year. In that respect, Mandisa certainly scores with this effort. Her vocals range from old-school gospel on “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” to classic soul with “What Christmas Means to Me.” The contemporary Christian star makes “Feliz Navidad” more samba than mariachi, and the duet with Michael W. Smith on “Christmas Day” soars. Just be careful when playing “Christmas Makes Me Cry,” because it has the capacity to do just that.
— Jim Myers, The Tennessean
Sugar & the Hi-Lows, “Snow Angel” (Ready Set Records)
While many Christmas albums will pepper an original tune or two into a collection of seasonal standards, Nashville soul-pop duo Sugar & the Hi-Lows have flipped the formula on their first Christmas EP, which features five new songs and a funky reworking of “Jingle Bells.” Not a huge shock, considering that members Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup are serious songwriters — their tunes have been featured more than 100 times on various TV shows. If your go-to Christmas jams include Otis Redding’s “Merry Christmas, Baby” and Clarence Carter’s “Backdoor Santa,” Dabbs and Stroup’s sweet, soulful offerings might be your bag.
— Dave Paulson, The Tennessean
Various Artists, “An East Nashville Christmas” (Ph Balanced Recordings)
According to its producers, you won’t find any “glitz, Botox, shoe-polish or auto-tune” on this new 18-song compilation, recorded exclusively on the east side of the Cumberland. Instead you’ll find a broad range of old-school seasonal sounds, from classic country (Chris Scruggs’ “Will You Sleep Inside This Christmas”) to western swing (Jeff & Vida’s “Mele Kalikimaka”) and bluegrass (Off the Wagon’s “Auld Lang Syne). Sam Bush, BR549 and Kenny Vaughan Trio also are among the 75 local artists and musicians who contributed to this project, which benefits the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Learn more at www.eastnashvillechristmas.com.
