James Taylor At Christmas Overview

Get into the holiday spirit with James Taylor at Christmas, a collection of 14 holiday favorites recorded by Taylor throughout the years, including his brand new track "Mon Beau Sapin," a French rendition of "O Christmas Tree," which is only available on this collection. James Taylor at Christmas also features his jazzy renditions of "Winter Wonderland" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," Taylor's unique take on "Jingle Bells," a heartwarming rendition of "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire), and a moving version of George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" which Taylor recorded with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Other tracks include his playful duet with Natalie Cole ("Baby, It's Cold Outside"), a cover of Joni Mitchell's "River," his take on the spiritual "Go Tell It On the Mountain", and to cap off the year, the New Year's classic "Auld Lang Syne."

James Taylor At Christmas Specifications

Looking for a smart, never-out-of-style singer who turns in a perfectly solid collection of Christmas songs, including a few surprises? J.T. is your man on James Taylor at Christmas, which is nicely balanced between pop and jazz selections, with more stately hymn-like fare and balladry. Always fine in his charmingly understated voice, Taylor and company try out the old gospel standard "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and the memorable "Some Children See Him." He smoothly cuts through "Winter Wonderland" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" with a bit of jazz flavor, and reprises Joni Mitchell's increasingly popular Christmas song (even though it's about getting away from the holiday), "River." One of the album's most satisfying delights is Taylor's funky version of "Jingle Bells," sung in a kind of barroom stomp with the most intriguing phrasing since Barbra Streisand sang it in the '60s. Soulful and bright and moody as well (when Taylor sings "In the Bleak Midwinter," you believe it's indeed rough), there's barely a clinker here. -- Martin Keller

James's Christmas Album