• By JOHN WIRT
• Music writer
• Published: Nov 13, 2009

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This year’s new slate of Christmas and seasonal CDs and music DVDs includes newly recorded discs by pop-opera star Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Tori Amos, Bob Dylan and former American Idol contestant David Archuleta. And down in Louisiana, irrepressible singer-trumpeter Kermit Ruffins swings the holidays, New Orleans style, with Have A Crazy Cool Christmas and trumpeter-composer Wynton Marsalis releases his Christmas Jazz Jam.

Among this year’s recycled material, previously issued holiday recordings by the Jackson 5, Neil Diamond, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin have been re-released with additional material. The Jacksons’ Ultimate Christmas Collection, for instance, adds vintage spoken greetings from Michael, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine and a Jackson 5 medley.

In the novelty department, Sony Legacy’s yule log edition DVD series combines reissues of Christmas albums by Mariah Carey, Kenny Chesney, Bette Midler and 15 others with videotaped winter scenes.

Many of 2009’s Christmas CDs and DVDs are listed below.

Tori Amos
MIDWINTER GRACES

Singer-pianist Tori Amos per forms classics such as “What Child, Nowell,” “Star of Wonder” and “Emmanuel” plus original songs “Our New Year” and “Pink and Glitter.” In addition to regular Amos band members Matt Chamberlain, Jon Evans and Mac Aladdin, a big band and orchestra accompany the minister’s daughter turned pop star.

David Archuleta
CHRISTMAS FROM THE HEART

Seventh-season American Idol contestant David Archuleta’s CD debut sold more than 700,000 copies. His first holiday CD includes standards “I’ll Home Be Home for Christmas” and “Silent Night” and an Archuleta original, “Melodies Of Christmas.” The Utah native gets support from the Salt Lake Children’s Choir and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

Beach Boys
CHRISTMAS HARMONIES

It may never snow in Southern California, but that didn’t stop the classic American rock ’n’ roll band the Beach Boys from recording Christmas tunes in their doo-wop-, girl-group- and rock ’n’ roll-inspired style. Includes “Little Saint Nick,” “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” “Santa’s Beard” and “White Christmas.”

Andrea Bocelli
MY CHRISTMAS

Pop-opera star Andrea Bocelli’s lushly arranged, first holiday collection includes guest stars Natalie Cole (“The Christmas Song”), Reba McEntire (“Blue Christmas”), the Muppets (“Jingle Bells”), the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (“The Lord’s Prayer”), Mary J. Blige (“What Child Is This”) and Katherine Jenkins (“I Believe”).

Michael Calmès and John Finney
CANTIQUE DE NOËL: BEAUTIFUL SONGS OF CHRISTMAS