New Christmas Albums 2009

Holiday CDs from David Archuleta, Sting, Andrea Bocelli & Jackson 5

Oct 15, 2009

It's time to deck the iPods with new tunes for Christmas. (Ka-chi)gle all the way with these holiday cash grabs, er...that is, stocking stuffers.

Do you hear what I hear – that’s the sound of cash register jingle as suffering record companies bank in on yuletide cheer.

Yes, it’s Christmas once again, a time when everyone and their cat (remember Jingle Cats) give their gifts to the world – otherwise known as the obligatory Christmas album.

This year, David Archuleta, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Jackson 5, Mariah Carey and a sleigh full of Various Artists rock around the Christmas tree.

New Christmas Albums from Jackson 5, Mariah Carey and Various Artists

As expected, just in time for Christmas, the ultimate cash grab. Originally released back in 1970 and featuring the original Jackson 5 lineup, Ultimate Christmas Collection comes re-packaged with the original songs plus rare tracks including “Little Christmas Tree” by Michael Jackson as well as spoken seasonal greetings from Michael, Jermaine and Tido.

With her new release Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel quickly becoming a distant memory itself, Mariah plans to do another Christmas album, with at least one song recorded with her mother. According to internet reports, back in 1994 Mariah begged her now ex-husband Tommy Mottola not to do it “People don’t do Christmas albums until they are, like, 50. Some sort of last resort,” Mariah said back then. It’s 2009 and Mariah isn’t 50 yet…

A very ‘special’ Christmas indeed. The first installment of this long-running series came out in 1987 and boasted the likes of Madonna, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Eurythmics, Sting and Run DMC.

The latest installment features Miley Cyrus, Kellie Pickler, Carter Twins and Colbie Caillat practically re-creating the original album. Despite the album’s frosty conception, proceeds from the sales of this record go to help Special Olympics and its programs – but it’s also possible to donate to them directly and skip this lump of coal.

New Christmas Albums from David Archuleta, Sting and Andrea Bocelli

Former American Idol runner up, David Archuleta, follows his debut album with a Christmas collection. He charmed the pants off the American audience with his smooth voice and comfortable versions of popular songs.

He now looks set to do the same on this Christmas CD with versions of “Joy To The World”, “Angels We Have Heard On High”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Silent Night”, “The First Noel”, “O Holy Night”, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, “I'll Be Home For Christmas” as well as new song “Melodies of Christmas” co-penned by Archuleta and his father.

Former Police front man, activist, successful solo artist, and naked yoga fanatic puts on a sweater and a scarf and releases his new album of moody holiday melodies. Using traditional music born from the British Isles as his muse, Sting gathered together a collection of classical instrument musicians to perform these traditional, carols, and lullabies.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli teams up with Canadian producer extraordinaire David Foster on the classical vocalist’s first collection of seasonal songs. Along with sing-along favorites such as “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”, Bocelli recruits a strange list of collaborators to go caroling with him including Nathalie Cole on “The Christmas Song”, Reba McEntire on “Blue Christmas”, Mary J. Blige on “What Child This Is” and the Muppets on “Jingle Bells”.

Some of these albums may be around again next year; others will become the ghosts of Christmas past. Maybe next year Madonna will release her Confessions on a Sleigh Ride. In the meantime have a Meowy Christmas from Suite 101.

The copyright of the article New Christmas Albums 2009 in Dance/Techno Music is owned by James W. Coates. Permission to republish New Christmas Albums 2009 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.