Hot crop of 2005 holiday music

For people who love holiday music, every year brings a new batch from famous, not-so-famous and used-to-be-famous folks, and this one is no different. But how do you choose? Well, we don’t want you to waste money on bad tunes, so here’s a sampling of the 2005 crop:

“”Elton John’s Christmas Party”

Sir Elton apparently loves Christmas songs and this is a collection of favorites by himself and other artists, available only at a Starbucks near you. John only appears on two tunes: his “Wall of Sound” tribute “Step Into Christmas” and a duet with hot British singer Joss Stone, “Calling it Christmas.” Otherwise, there’s everything from the Ronettes’ classic “Frosty the Snowman” to Pet Shop Boys’ dreamy club tune “It Doesn’t Often Snow at Christmas” to Outkast’s wholly inappropriate but funky “Playa’s Ball.”

Your holiday iPod mix needs: Bruce Springsteen’s joyous “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” Otis Redding’s soulful “Merry Christmas Baby” and the Band’s comforting, rootsy “Christmas Must Be Tonight.”

“ “The Regis Philbin

Christmas Album”

Unlike his barking, overly excited speaking style, Philbin’s singing voice is much smoother, but still unmistakably Reege. Several of the usual suspects are here, including duets with wife Joy and a cameo from Donald Trump on “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” This collection is neither particularly impressive nor wincingly embarrassing (though “The Trumpster” firing Blitzen and hiring Rudolph is a low point), so this is for fans of Reege and that perky, blond baby machine he hangs out with five mornings a week.

Your holiday iPod mix needs: Reege and Joy’s cute “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

“ “What I Really Want

for Christmas”

Wilson’s completion of his lost Beach Boys masterpiece “Smile” was a heartwarming rock ‘n’ roll story. Now that he’s back in circulation, he’s in a Christmas mood, mixing newly arranged traditional tunes such as “The First Noel” and “O Holy Night” with originals, including the new Wilson/Jimmy Webb composition “Christmasey.” Highlights include remade versions of the Beach Boys’ “The Man With the Toys,” the surf-sounding “Little Saint Nick,” the vaguely Latin “Deck the Halls” and a beautifully harmonized a cappella “Auld Lang Syne.”

Your holiday iPod mix needs: “Little Saint Nick,” “Christmasey,” “Auld Lang Syne.”

“ “We Three Kings”

The right reverend has a dedicated following who await his punchy rockabilly stylings with bated breath. This album mixes well- and lesser-known holiday tunes, arranged in Heat’s signature retro style. There’s nothing too fancy here, but it is a fun listen.

Your holiday iPod mix needs: An adrenalized instrumental “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” melded to the “Batman” theme, and an interesting instrumental arrangement of “We Three Kings” and “What Child is This” done in spaghetti Western style.

Jane Monheit, “The Season”

This successful young female jazz singer is known for her come-hither poses almost as much as her voice (though Diana Krall bests her with a “come get some” reclining pose on her new holiday album). Monheit has a smooth voice and the arrangements are mostly low-key and soothing with a few nice solos. She sings classics like “Sleigh Ride” but also includes such less-famous tunes as Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.”

Your holiday iPod mix needs: Peppy “The Man With the Bag,” bluesy “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and soothing “The Christmas Waltz” featuring vibist Dave Samuels.

Various artists, “Christmas Angels”

A mostly countrified collection by respected female country and Christian singers including Deana Carter, Tanya Tucker and Suzy Bogguss. The arrangements range from newcomer Amber Dotson’s twangy “Blue Christmas” to Alison Krauss’ old-school, R&B-laced “Shinny Down the Chimney (Fill Up My Stocking).”

Your holiday iPod mix needs: Cyndi Thomson’s elegant, string-laced “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Bethany Dillon’s slinky “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and Bogguss’ back-porch original “Two-Step ‘Round the Christmas Tree.”

Aaron Neville, “Christmas Prayer”

Neville’s wafting, light-as-a-feather tenor could make Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” sound plaintive, so holiday tunes are a natural match. Mixing traditional songs with a few originals by Curtis Mayfield, Charles Brown and himself, Neville’s album is a soulful holiday celebration featuring gospel classic “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” the doo-wop arrangement of “White Christmas” and an a cappella “Joy to the World” featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Your holiday iPod mix needs: “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” an a cappella “Amen” featuring a gaggle of Nevilles, “Merry Christmas Baby” and the reggae original “Christmas Everyday.”

Tony Orlando & Dawn, “A Christmas Reunion”

Admit it. You missed the bushy mustache, the powder blue tuxes and the long flowing cocktail dresses. Orlando, Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson are back with some of your Christmas faves, and it isn’t nearly as Vegas-buffet cheesy as you might expect. All three are talented singers, still sound pretty good and employ arrangements ranging from jazz to light contemporary R&B.

Your holiday iPod mix needs: “Christmas in New York,” the sparse, blues piano-driven “I Lose It When I Hear White Christmas” and the lightly funky “Christmas Time is Here.”

Jana, “American Indian Christmas”

An interesting collection performed in American Indian languages including Navajo, Oneida, Chiricahua Apache and Lakota. Jana Mashonee has a powerful, clear voice and she’s a confident singer. The grandiose string arrangements are a bit heavy-handed and overly reverent, but few people can say they’ve heard “Silent Night” sung in Arapaho.

Your holiday iPod mix needs: A big “Little Drummer Boy” sung in San Juan Tewa Pueblo, and an unusually phrased “Winter Wonderland” sung in Ojibwe.

Kenny G, “The Greatest Holiday Classics”

The sounds of the world’s best selling soprano saxophonist tend to polarize listeners. There are few surprises here in song selection (“My Favorite Things”) or arrangements (a jazz breakdown in the middle of “Sleigh Ride”), so your enjoyment of this collection of tunes from his past albums will depend entirely on your gut reactions to Mr. Gorelick’s music. If his lyrical style makes you want to snuggle up in front of a fire with a warm cup of cocoa and a loved one, then you’ll enjoy it. If his metallic, vibrato-laden tone makes you want to punch the nearest person in a holiday sweater, then stay away.

Your holiday iPod mix needs: Dude, it’s Kenny G.