The Bottom Line
Pros
- "The Christmas Song" - Trace Adkins
- "Santa Claus is Back in Town" - Dwight Yoakam
- "Christmas in Your Arms" - Steve Wariner
Cons
- Del McCoury's "Call Collect on Christmas" may be too twangy for some.
Description
- Collection of traditional and new Christmas songs from various artists.
- 18-tracks.
- Released on Capitol Records.
Guide Review - Various Artists - Shimmy Down the Chimney
When I first saw the track list of this album, I thought.. wow, what a great assortment of artists. Not all of the songs are from today's country artists, but they're not all from people you don't hear every day on radio, either. There's something here for everyone.
Dwight Yoakam gets the album started with the great upbeat "Santa Claus is Back in Town." Jo Dee Messina does a wonderful job on "Let It Snow!" Toby Keith's original "Christmas Rock" talks about how the woman is wanting to have a "Christmas rock" this year as her present, and the guy doesn't have the money to buy it. I love Trace Adkins version of "The Christmas Song." His baritone wraps around the notes of the song like your favorite Christmas gift wrap. Dolly Parton's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is fun too, with her talking to the kids about "the most famous reindeer of all" just before she sings the tune.
Alison Krauss has a new song, the title track here. It's a very different type of song than what I'm used to hearing her sing, but very enjoyable.
The album ends with John Berry singing "O Holy Night" as only he can. He has such a pure tenor that he really does this difficult song justice. What a great way to conclude the album. You'll want to start from track one after it ends, it's so good.
Add this one to your Christmas collection. You won't be sorry.
