It's Beginning To Sound A Lot Like Christmas -- Elvis, Natalie, Kenny G, Neil: They're Here For The Holidays

It's a holiday landslide, a bumper crop of new releases. This may be the biggest year for Christmas records since the invention of the compact disc.

Highlighting the Yuletide bonanza is "If Everyday Was Like Christmas," a new release of Elvis Presley's two Christmas records, in a delightful package that includes a pop-up Graceland. Although a tad overpriced - ours cost $18.99 at a mall store - it's a treasure.

The King's initial Christmas album, recorded just days after his first appearance here on Sept. 1, 1957, at Sick's Stadium, includes one of his swingingest sides, "Santa Claus Is Back in Town," and his greatest Christmas song ever, the aching "Blue Christmas."

By the time he recorded his second holiday LP, in 1971, he had sunk into his Vegas autopilot mode, but nevertheless rouses himself for a blistering "Merry Christmas Baby," one of his liveliest recordings of the 1970s, and several moving gospel numbers with the Imperials Quartet. The several alternate takes are interesting, but offer nothing new.

Even though most of the material has been available before, the new packaging makes this a must for Elvis fans.

The best new holiday record is Natalie Cole's "Holly & Ivy." All 12 songs are lovingly performed, with sumptuous arrangements and wonderful vocals. The songs may be familiar but they sound fresh and vibrant. This is a Christmas disc to savor year after year.

Kenny G will probably have the most commercially successful release with "Miracles," featuring well-played but unimaginative performances of 11 familiar holiday favorites. With only 36 minutes of music, it's a bit of a rip-off.

Kwanzaa, the African-American holiday, has inspired the jumpingest LP of the season, with 16 mostly dance-oriented songs from American, African, Caribbean and South American artists. This disc will make any hip holiday party even hipper.

The R&B highlight is Charles Brown's "Cool Christmas Blues," a new recording featuring his timeless classics, "Merry Christmas Baby" and "Please Come Home for Christmas," as well as other finely crafted, movingly performed songs.

Mariah Carey puts her magnificent voice to good use, especially on some stirring gospel songs. Classic material from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett is offered in new packages. And Neil Young is a surprise guest artist in a fine, laid-back, folkish release.

Following are details on those and other new releases for the holiday season:

John Anderson, "Christmas Time" (BNA) - The country song stylist brings his unique touch to old favorites and a few new originals.

Animal Kwackers, "Christmas Favorites" (Nesak International) - Yes, it's dogs, cats, roosters, cows and other farm animals doing "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night" and all your Christmas favorites. A prime example of just how wacky this season can get.

"Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album" (Columbia) - A rerelease of his classic 1968 album, with one new song, "I'll Be Home for Christmas," recorded live for "The Jon Stewart Show." How hip can you get?

"Best of Christmas in the Northwest" - Highlights from the three "Christmas in the Northwest" albums, benefiting Children's Hospital. Includes "Wet Seattle Christmas" and contributions from Ann and Nancy Wilson, Walt Wagner, the Brothers Four, Reilly & Maloney and others. Available at Ernst stores.

Duffy Bishop, "Christmas in Latte Land" - Christmas rock, Christmas carols and Christmas fun from our much-loved local singer. Includes "We Wish You A Merry Fishmas," "The Twelve Days of Coffee" and an instrumental version of "Silent Night" by saxophonist Dean Mochizuki.

"Charles Brown's Cool Christmas Blues" (Bullseye Blues) - The coolest carols of the season. The R&B great, who wrote two of the best contemporary Christmas songs, "Merry Christmas Baby" and "Please Come Home for Christmas," does those and other seasonal gems in this superb new recording. The definitive R&B holiday disc.

Mariah Carey, "Merry Christmas" (Columbia) - The full-throttle gospel treatment on "Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child" will stir your soul. A couple of new songs Carey co-wrote, the Phil Spector-ish "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and the gospelly "Jesus, Born on This Day," make this one of the great releases of the season.

Natalie Cole, "Holly & Ivy" (Elektra) - The classiest Christmas disc of the year - beautifully sung, beautifully arranged and beautifully recorded. Highlights include a jumping, clapping, soaring gospel version of "Joy to the World" and great renditions of "Jingle Bells," "The First Noel," "Silent Night" and the title tune.

Neil Diamond, "The Christmas Album Volume II" (Columbia) - A follow up to his successful 1992 disc, with a variety of familiar songs, competently done. Even includes Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."

"A Fireside Christmas: Christmas Classics on Pop Sax," Mark Townsend (Forefront) - Christmas favorites featuring saxophone.

"Giant Country Christmas, Volume 1" - The Nashville label showcases its artists, including Carlene Carter, Clay Walker and Kenny Rogers, singing seasonal favorites. The highlight is Daron Norwood's delightful "Working Elf Blues."

"Gregorian Chant, Christmas Chants" (Milan) - Gregorian chants are all the rage. This is a collection of music from the Christmas liturgy, sung by monks and nuns. Peaceful, soothing and entirely religious.

"Joyful Christmas" (Columbia) - An impressive compilation of traditional carols performed in gospel style by a variety of artists, including Lou Rawls, Patti LaBelle, D.C. Talk, Peabo Bryson and Oleta Adams.

Kenny G, "Miracles" - Likely to be the biggest-selling holiday disc. The playful version of "Winter Wonderland" is fun; the rest of the tunes are well-played, straightforward and unadorned. Good for a sophisticated party, but not for long - this full-priced disc contains only 36 minutes of music.

Kofi, "A Very Reggae Christmas" (Atlantic) - The singer-dancer from Ghana is joined by a variety of reggae stars for dance-hall versions of classic carols. Energetic and fun.

"Kwanzaa Music" (Rounder) - Music, most of it dance-oriented, for the African-American cultural holiday. The variety of international artists includes James Brown ("Get On the Good Foot, Part One"), Aretha Franklin ("Spirit in the Dark"), Clifton Chenier ("Bon Ton Roulet"), Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens ("Thokozile") and Abdul Aziz El Mubarak ("Tarig Ash-Shoag"). The hippest party record of the season.

"Have Yourself a Looney Tunes Christmas" (Kid Rhino) - Strictly for kids. Fans of the classic Warner Bros. cartoons will not recognize the lame vocal characterizations. We miss Mel Blanc!

"This Is Christmas," the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Bonneville Classics) - Recorded at the Temple in Salt Lake City last Christmas season, the swelling, uplifting power of the huge choir is used to good effect. Only a few familiar carols, along with interesting choral pieces. But no "Hallelujah Chorus."

"Navidad en las Americas" (Walt Disney Records) - Top Latin singing stars, including Placido Domingo, Jose Feliciano, Celia Cruz and Tito Puente, perform Christmas favorites in Spanish.

The Nylons, "Harmony" (Scotti Bros) - The a cappella vocal quartet sings sentimental favorites and one new original, "What Does Christmas Mean to Me."

Elvis Presley, "If Every Day Was Like Christmas" (RCA) - The King recorded some of the greatest Christmas rock songs, including "Blue Christmas" and "Santa Claus Is Back in Town." Everything from both his Christmas albums is included, along with some alternate takes, all in glorious digital sound. The package, with a pop-up of Graceland, is a delight.

"Seven Gates: A Christmas Album by Ben Keith & Friends" (Reprise) - With friends like Neil Young, Johnny Cash and J.J. Cale, you can't go wrong. Young and Cash singing "The Little Drummer Boy" is a kick. The music, most of it in a folksy style, is superb throughout.

"The Sinatra Christmas Album" (Reprise) - All the holiday music Sinatra recorded for Warner Bros./Reprise is collected here for the first time. Included is the Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne masterpiece, "The Christmas Waltz," in which Frank sings greetings "in three-quarter time." Sleigh bells ring a ding ding!

"A Soap Opera Christmas" (RCA) - Soap stars show their musical side in solos and ensemble pieces.

"A Tejano Country Christmas" with Freddy Fender, Flaco Jimenez, La Diferenzia, Joel Nava and Rick Orozco (Arista Texas) - Holiday favorites in English and Spanish, including "Blanca Navidad" ("White Christmas") and "Noche de Paz" ("Silent Night"), performed with great energy and joy.

Telynor, "Off the Beaten Track" - The Seattle folk duo does a dozen or so obscure tunes, most of them traditional French or English carols. Different, interesting and well done.

"Yulestride," Butch Thompson (Daring) - Christmas favorites in stride piano style.

Tingstad & Rumbel "Star of Wonder" (Narada Lotus) - Eric Tinstad and Nancy Rumbel, the gifted local duo (he plays guitar, she plays oboe) are joined by a bassist and drummer in warm, soothing renditions of holiday favorites and a few obscure gems.

Kim Waters, "Home for Christmas" (Warlock Records) - Seasonal favorites featuring sax.