Word: songe
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...found on the faces of children at Christmas. Written from a father's viewpoint, Corgan carols of how "Christmastime has come/bringing toys for everyone/Christmas time has come...for you." Sleigh bells, whistles and peaceful piano sounds define the wholly unoriginal music which matches the lackluster lyrics. Nevertheless, the Pumpkins song reeks of Christmas joy and is a delightful listen...
Blues Traveler also contribute a totally unoriginal, yet infinitely pleasing tune. Their gift to the album is the plainly titled song, "Christmas." If you've heard one Blues Traveler song, you've pretty much heard them all. Nonetheless, much like with the Smashing Pumpkins song, The magic of "Christmas" lies in the booming voice of big John Popper singing about the exhilarating holiday season and the jolly melody of his harmonica. The entire album is much like these two songs; not original, but still very beautiful...
Another alternative surprise is Chris Cornell, former front man for Soundgarden. He, along with the artist Eleven, delivers a poignant rendition of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria" in Old English. One of the producers, Linda Feder, writes that Cornell "felt very strongly about wanting to do a traditional song, a classical piece, something that might turn young people onto classical music." Who would have thought the same guy who helped pioneer Seattle grunge could sing so magnificently...
Providing one of the best tracks on the yuletide compilation, Tracy Chapman delivers an exquisite cover of a Christmas standard. She gives the album her interpretation of the traditional song "O Holy Night." The simple guitar picking provides the perfect undertone for Chapman's deliciously rich, deep voice. In a similarly tranquil tone, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds present an original piece entitled "Christmas Song." While a recorded version appears on the Dave Matthews Band's independent debut album, this track is a live Denver performance from February 1997. With two acoustic guitars and one illustrious voice, the song speaks...
...have its flaws. The ubiquitous Puff Daddy and his friends deliver an unengaging rap cover of "Santa Baby," which Madonna covered for A Very Special Christmas. The band everyone loves to hate, Hootie & the Blowfish, bring to the album a horrible cover of Mel Torme's standard "The Christmas Song (Chesnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)." Darius Rucker and guitarist Mark Bryan are totally out-of-sync and seem to be playing two different horribly Hootie songs. Former rock queen Patti Smith gives the album its most ominous track. The hauntingly gothic sound of "We Three Kings" cannot be scorned...