Let It Be Christmas

A warm holiday treat from one of today's country greats.

Unlike 1993's classic Honky Tonk Christmas, which was almost entirely original tunes, 10 of these 11 tracks are well-known holiday favorites. But one of the highlights of that 1993 release was Jackson's cover of Burl Ives's very familiar "Holly Jolly Christmas," which he subsequently made his own. Jackson's warm, soothing voice also works wonders here, with the arrangements doing their part to transform this into yet another yuletide classic. In fact, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is one of the most touching versions ever recorded. Be it a semi-jazzy "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," the honky-tonk piano on a rousing "Jingle Bells," a gorgeous acoustic-based "Silent Night," or "The Christmas Song" delivered with a pleasant twang, these tracks deserve perennial play. --Bill Holdship