The Essential NOW That's What I Call Christmas

The Essential NOW That's What I Call Christmas - Various Artists

There's pretty much something here for anyone who celebrates Christmas. Spanning carols recorded from 1957 to 2007, this jubilant collection boasts a whopping 25 tracks, sung by everyone from Andy Williams and The Jackson 5 to Elton John and The Chipmunks. The opening song "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John & Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band with The Harlem Community Choir is truly a perfect way to set the tone for a 2008 Holiday compilation. And hearing folk singer Burl Ives' traditional take on "A Holly Jolly Christmas" conjures up images of his character Sam the Snowman who narrated the 1964 stop-motion animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Following Ives' tune with singing cowboy Gene Autry's warm version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was a good idea, as was including the classically campy "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy. Paul McCartney's synth-laden "Wonderful Christmastime" may not be an "essential" carol, but it's as catchy as it is weird. Wham! makes the yuletide gay with their romantically groovy "Last Christmas" and Colbie Caillat's "Mistletoe" seems sure to invoke smooching in sweaters.