ALBUM OF THE WEEK

VARIOUS - WHITE CHRISTMAS

There's something for everyone in this bumper collection of festive songs. From the new (Michael Buble's Cold December Night, Lily Allen's take on Keane's hit for John Lewis' Christmas ad Somewhere Only We Know and Coldplay's Christmas Lights) to the classic (Bing Crosby and David Bowie's duet Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy, Al Green's I'll Be Home For Christmas, Tony Bennett's Winter Wonderland and Chris Rea's Driving Home For Christmas), and the wacky (Wizzard's I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, Alma Cogan's Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo and Enya's We Wish You A Merry Christmas come to mind), this could almost be the ultimate Christmas album. The only issue is, it's missing the much-loved likes of Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You, Boney M's Mary's Boy Child and Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song. Still, it's refreshing to have a different tracklist - and there's no Band Aid in sight.

Rating: 9/10

(Review by Shereen Low)

VARIOUS - CHRISTMAS AT DOWNTON ABBEY

For fans of the hit TV show, this is an absolute festive must-have. The 45-track double-LP Christmas At Downton Abbey features hymns, carols and seasonal tracks by actors Julian Ovenden (Charles Blake), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora, Countess of Grantham) and Jim Carter (Mr Carson). While McGovern is no stranger to singing (she's already released a record as frontwoman of folk-country group Sadie And The Hotheads), it is arguably Jim Carter who is the star of the two CDs, when he closes the first disc with a read of Clement Clarke Moore's 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who made a guest appearance on the ITV series, also contributes, as does the Choir of Kings College, while the show's theme tune has been adapted as a two-part festive number, performed by the Budapest City Orchestra. Just as the show's special has become something of a December tradition, this is the perfect collection to form the back-track to your family festivities. It's basically Christmas in a CD form.

Rating: 8/10

(Review by Katy Pearson)

VARIOUS - AN AMERICANA CHRISTMAS

And so begins the onslaught of Christmas compilation albums. While most deal in the domestic Yuletide offerings of well-known crooners or ironic heavy metal parodies, An Americana Christmas manages to theme this collection while still observing a level of sincerity. Various generations of folk and country are spread across 16 tracks, with six exclusive new recordings to entice Americana patriots who already own it all. Robert Ellis' cover of Pretty Paper is fairly by-numbers though Nikki Lane's sassy Falalaalove Ya, an original recording, is lighthearted, hook laden and a highlight of this collection. Meanwhile, the legendary artists have offered some of their festive staples, such as Christmas Must Be Tonight by The Band, The Gifts They Gave, lifted from Johnny Cash's 1963 Christmas record, and Emmylou Harris' 1979 version of The First Noel. It's perhaps no surprise that a serving from Bob Dylan's Christmas album appears here, though Must Be Santa seems an arbitrary choice, especially as the original Brave Combo original packs more punch. Occasionally, the transition from a festive Country tearjerker or sluggish traditional number can jar against the livelier numbers, such as Dwight Yoakam's Run Run Rudolph. All that said, for the most part, An Americana Christmas's heart is in the right place.

Rating: 7/10

(Review by Robert Penney)

IDINA MENZEL - CHRISTMAS WISHES

After having a hit with Frozen tune Let It Go, probably the biggest song of the last 12 months, Idina Menzel steps in from the cold to bring us this collection of festive tracks. There are much-loved classics here such as Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You, a duet with Michael Buble, Baby It's Cold Outside, and also December Prayer, a beautiful new song co-written by Menzel. The atmosphere is warm and sentimental with lush strings and of course, Menzel's incredible voice. There are many covers of Silent Night and White Christmas out there, but the star of screen and stage puts her own accent on these songs making them dreamlike, particularly the latter track which closes this album beautifully.

Rating: 8/10

(Review by Lisa Allen)

VARIOUS - CHRISTMAS WORDS FOR YOU

While many like to get in the party spirit with our favourite festive numbers, it's nice to slow things down and immerse ourselves in a more chilled-out vibe too. This album of Christmassy poems read by Joanna Lumley, Jim Broadbent, Hermione Norris and Stephen Tompkinson offers something a little different. Not one for your Christmas party, it's more suited to solo listening, but with its beautiful backing music and poetic storytelling, it's sure to have you feeling festive. Lumley captivates with The Foolish Fir-Tree, Tompkinson keeps it classic with A Christmas Carol, Broadbent's instantly recognisable voice delivers a dreamy Music On Christmas Morning, while Norris's velvety tones are ideal for In The Bleak Midwinter. If you're looking for an escape from the usual Christmas tunes, this is for you.

Rating: 7/10

(Review by Catherine Wylie)

EARTH, WIND & FIRE - HOLIDAY

Music guilty pleasures and Christmas go hand in hand. Whether it's people power sending Bob The Builder to the No 1 spot, or music snobs humming along to Slade in the supermarket, it's practically the law that you're allowed to like music you wouldn't normally enjoy. So, even if the idea of disco funk would normally have you running to the hills, you'll still like Earth, Wind & Fire's Holiday album. OK, you'll probably skip some of the slower numbers like O Come All Ye Faithful. But their renditions of Joy To The World, The Little Drummer Boy and Jingle Bell Rock will get you feeling festive. Granted, it's not quite as good as some of the other classics out there - there isn't a Bing Crosby White Christmas or Mariah Carey All I Want For Christmas Is You moment, but it's a good solid album which will satisfy your festive tune hunger.

Rating: 6/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

On The Road

:: Nicki Minaj is bringing her Pinkprint tour to the UK for nine shows in March and April. The Anaconda singer's first show will be at London's O2 Arena on March 28, before she stops off at Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Leeds, Newcastle and Glasgow. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on December 12 from www.livenation.co.uk.

:: Take That have added four more dates to their 2015 UK tour, due to demand. The group, now performing as a trio following Jason Orange's departure, has announced gigs in Glasgow, London, Birmingham and Sheffield. Tickets will be available from 9am on December 11 from www.gigsandtours.com.