(Right Stuff, CD only, 1993)

There is a tradition that after singers/musicians are established, have a following, and have developed a catalog that they need to make Christmas albums. This tradition stretches back into the foggy mists of the time of early recordings. With only a few exceptions I will steer away from and am happy to leave them back there. I was skeptical about this one, even though I’m a Dion fan. (Reference my review of his Yo Frankie album in the August issue of The Muse.) However when I first heard this CD I could not help but be grabbed and pulled in by the infectious, up-tempo beat and overall cheerful presentation of these songs.

Here you will find a mix of old and newer songs, some old “chestnuts” but some, shall we say, new and contemporary classics as well. My Christmas CDs are some 50 in number, and as I considered which discs to write about for this brief feature I ran through a lot of candidates I thought might be worthy, only to reject them as being limpid, undistinguished, and uninspired. This is a breath of fresh air – no simple, laid-back crooning will be found here! You get guitars, drums, occasionally horns, all well done. The whole album is performed with panache, good backing and production, and there’s that wonderful Bronx-flavored vocal that immediately identifies Dion.

The album leads off with, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” which might give you an idea what the general tone here is. The fun continues with “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” The more serious songs – White Christmas, a medley of Silent Night and What Christmas Means – are rendered with care and respect. And Dion makes them genuinely meaningful as well! Occasionally he inserts a brief narrative break that personalizes and brings home the message of the song.

Basically, you can tell that everyone involved in making this album is having fun with it, and unless the listener has calcified listening habits unreceptive to joyful sounds, they should enjoy it too.  It’s available – as are the previous two albums – on Discogs, at cheap/reasonable cost.

My very best wishes to all reading this, whether you have a religious faith or not, for a happy and blessed holiday season.