XMAS ROUNDUP

bonanza, courtesy of Legacy Recordings, which is issuing a treasure trove of goodies. A must have is featuring Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” and other holiday classics put through the girl group blender by The Ronettes and The Crystals. In luscious mono of course. Elvis Presley’s draws on the best of his two Christmas LPs, including “Blue Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Baby” and the great non-LP single “If Every Day Was Like Christmas,” among others. Gene Autry’s has that signature holiday hit, and plenty of fun stuff like “The Night Before Christmas (In Texas, That Is)” and “I Wish My Mom Would Marry Santa Claus.” There’s lots of easy and . Jazz more to your taste? Kenny G’s has smooth instrumental versions of modern fare like “Silent Night,” plus “The Chanukah Song” and “Brahms Lullaby.” Or do it up country style. On Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s , they assure you “I Believe in Santa Claus,” celebrate the holiday “With Bells On,” and make it “A Christmas to Remember.” Alabama’s has their hit “Christmas In Dixie,” with great harmonies on numbers like “A Candle in the Window” and “Joseph and Mary’s Boy.” Note that each album also includes a digital download … Reissues from the nice folks at Real Gone Music: if it’s orchestral bliss you desire, your prayers will be answered on . Slatkin was the house conductor/arranger at Liberty Records and made the sound even more lavish by recording the string sections separately; one for each channel (right and left). Even the Vatican gave this record the thumbs up! … Cee Lo’s was his first album to not receive a “Parental Advisory” sticker. It’s on the upbeat side, as he jousts with the Muppets on “All I Need Is Love,” duets with Christine Aguilera on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” and gets all festive with Rod Stewart and Trombone Shorty on “Merry Christmas, Baby.” Available on green vinyl …