Rikks Revues wants to try and help brighten up your spirits, How?, Glad you asked, every Christmas CD I get is going to be put right here, the Christmas CD Reviews section. Anytime a new submission gets reviewed it will go here. All you have to do is drop by once in a while to see the new Christmas releases.

Still on the way Joe Curry and The Olympics with new Christmas Releases.

2004 Holiday Music Reviews:

Guy Smilee - Merry Christmas (I'll Have A Broke New Year)

A Cape Breton Christmas with Ashley MacIsaac and Friends

Sara Botkin - An Angel's Christmas

Christmas Grass Vol. 2 (TOO)

The Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection

~~~ The archives: 2003 Christmas Music Reviews.....

A Pinecastle Christmas Gatherin'

The second Christmas compilation from the roots/bluegrass label Pinecastle. The first being 9 years ago as Pinecastle records released "Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas". The wonderful sound of bluegrass has always been a great sound for Christmas music, and this, for the most part is no exception. An 18 song collection of the best holiday music Pinecastle could put together from their roster of artists. 

What do we have, well if you frequent Rikks Revues, you know how much I've thought of Michelle Nixon and Drive, well they're here as well as Whitehouse, Wildfire, Nothin' Fancy, Jim Hurst and Missy Raines, the Village Singers, Josh Williams and many other modern bluegrass staples that add not only a wonderful sound, but some of the best Christmas bluegrass music available.

You see, I believe Pinecastle have one of the best rosters of bluegrass music that feature some of the most talented musicians, performers and entertainers in the industry today. What they add is a wonderful selection of standards like "Away In A Manger", "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", "White Christmas" and even a great rendition by Nothin' Fancy of "Snoopy's Christmas". You also get some of the greatest pickers, singers, and groups as well doing some new music to brighten your holiday spirits. 

The best of the new sounds come from Michelle Nixon and Drive "When It's Christmas In Virginia", "Christmas Waltz" from Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys, and "White House Christmas" by WhiteHouse. The total CD is just under an hour of some of the best instrumental and vocal performances you'll be likely to play this holiday season. Sure to warm a winter night with the southern sounds of A Pinecastle Christmas Gatherin'.

   ( 5 Candy Canes out of 6 )

Suzy Bogguss - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Earlier this year Suzy Bogguss set the music industry on it's ear by releasing the critically acclaimed "Swing". A heavily jazz influenced CD for Compadre records that is one of the real highlights of the past year. Well, we may have thought that was about the best news, and a wonderful album, but here she is again with her angelic voice laid down one some of the most memorable and classic Christmas tunes.

What we have is Suzy Bogguss lending her unique voice to holiday standards, with a Swing feel, and a country flair. Take some of the most identifiable Christmas songs, such as "Winter Wonderland", "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer", and "Do You Hear What I Hear" and mix in some not so standard tunes. A couple Suzy Bogguss and Doug Crider originals in "Two Step 'round The Christmas Tree", and "Through Your Eyes" as well as a wonderful duet of "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Delbert McClinton.

What you come out with is one of the most beautiful Christmas albums of recent years. The beautiful voice of Suzy Bogguss mixed with amazing musicianship, and songs that were picked perfectly for this project, and her voice. Recorded at the famous Bradley's Barn by Bobby Bradley, a wonderful treat for all this holiday season. Yes, this album of holiday favorites will appeal to the country audience, but to the general public too, mixing classics with new songs that will be favorites after this year.

The complete gems of this compilation are the duet with Delbert McClinton jazzing up the holiday season. "Two Step 'round the Christmas Tree" is bound to become a seasonal favorite. The incredibly beautiful "Through Your Eyes" is a beautiful emotional song about simply looking at the world, and season through the eyes of a child. If you are looking for some Christmas music this year that has feeling, heart, and some good upbeat numbers too, put Suzy Bogguss on your list.

To see a review of Swing, visit Rikks Revues country page.

  ( 5.5 Candy Canes out of 6 )

Ho Ho Ho Spice - Various Artists

On the reverse of the CD cover it states: "Why Buy This Holiday Compilation?" and gives you 4 solid answers. 1) The Cause, well if you haven't checked out the short article on the cause and call for next years project go HERE now and check it out (as well as the call for submissions for next year). 2) The price, except for budget priced "old" collections, where can you get 49 songs on 2 CDs for the price of one CD? 3) The Rarity (Only 5,000 units). 4) The songs (we'll get into that). 5) Because IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!

This is a collection of mostly newly written holiday songs from a wide array of mainly pop "alternative-ish" Christmas music from some known names ( Better Than Ezra, Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg (of Smithereens), Klark Kent (Featuring Stewart Copeland of the Police), Mike Daly (of Whiskeytown) and even Graham Parker duet with Nona Hendryx.) And then there are some bands and artists you may be hearing from in the future.

Of course I have to tell you of the best of the best, first off, NRBQ (yep, the legends) with A Christmas Wish, Glowfriends - Joy Of Christmas, the humorous "And To All A Good Night" by 5 Chinese Brothers, Helen Avakian - Christmas Tree, Michelangelo D'Amico - Heading Home For Christmas, and the tune by Better Than Ezra is wonderful "Merry Christmas Eve". This is a very good independent Christmas CD offered by the Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center (or Volunteer Records).

The thing I want you to ask yourself if you are looking for a pop rock Christmas album is, how many independent albums have been released with all new material? The answer, well, actually I am holding it now. The cause is a very good one, and Christmas is the time of giving. The music is very strong, some a bit weaker, but in all, a very good collection. If you are looking for a unique Christmas album and you want to contribute to a worthwhile charity, click on the CD cover above. This is a memorable Christmas album, and if you're in a band, this will give you a bit of an idea what next year's collection is looking for.

  ( 4.5 Candy Canes out of 6 )