New on CD

'A Christmas Gift of Love'

Nothing says holiday cheer like Barry Manilow. Well, maybe a few things do, but they don't say it with such enthusiastic, unabashed schmaltziness.

When Manilow sings "I'll Be Home for Christmas," you have every reason to believe he'll be home for Christmas -- even though, having grown up Jewish in Brooklyn, it's more likely he'll be home for Hanukkah.

If you're truly up on arcane Manilow trivia, you'll recall that he released a holiday album in 1990, "Because It's Christmas." That one was better -- it featured one of his most melancholy songs, "When the Meadow Was Bloomin'," written by Johnny Mercer, as well as his tongue-in-cheek duet with K.T. Oslin, "Baby It's Cold Outside."

This new disc includes huge orchestral versions of "White Christmas," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays." After more than 30 years in the business, Manilow is always pitch-perfect, but hearing his distinctive voice will make you long for his '70s hits such as "Mandy" and "Weekend in New England."

His rendition of "My Favorite Things" is jazzy and fun, but it belongs on another album, as does his wistful cover of Joni Mitchell's "River."

'A Classic Rock Christmas'

How many times can you stand to hear the words, "All I want for Christmas is you?" The answer to that goes a long way toward determining whether you'll like this compilation of '70s and '80s heroes getting their classic rock goo all over some holiday favorites.

Styx starts things out sugary with "All I Want," but the fructose level really goes off the charts on REO Speedwagon's "I Believe in Santa Claus." John Waite lends a "Missin' You" vibe to "All I Want for Christmas," and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh teams up with Father Guido Sarducci for the mildly amusing "Santa's Lament."

The best track is a duet by Eddie Money and Ronnie Spector -- yes, she goes "Whoa-oh-oh-oh" here, too -- on "Everybody Loves Christmas," a nice little rockin' holiday tune. Other contributors include Survivor, Greg Lake, Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades, and Grand Funk's Mark Farner.

'Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas'

Ella Fitzgerald's only secular Christmas album is a polished affair.

The 1960 session finds the jazz legend at the peak of her vocal powers, accompanied by an orchestra and, on some tracks, a superfluous backup choir.

This reissue features the LP's 12 cuts plus six bonus tracks, including three that were previously unissued, including "Frosty, the Snowman," with Fitzgerald singing in a cartoonish childish accent. That could have been left in the vault, but the slower and longer version of "The Christmas Song" is in some ways superior to the take selected for the original LP.

It's hard to imagine a singer better suited to do an album celebrating the holiday spirit than Fitzgerald. She has the childlike innocence to pull off "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," even throwing in a witty quote from the folk song "Tom Dooley"; the rhythmic dexterity to romp through "Jingle Bells" and "Sleigh Ride"; and the masterful command of phrasing and intonation that makes her version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" a classic.

'MAXJAZZ Holiday'

MAXJAZZ, an indie label specializing in vocalists and pianists, offers "MAXJAZZ Holiday," a swinging stocking stuffer for straight-ahead jazz fans who take pleasure in discovering talents deserving wider recognition.

The CD offers a sampling of six singers -- Carla Cook, Rene Marie, Laverne Butler, Mary Stallings, Phillip Manuel and Christine Hitt -- performing popular Christmas fare in an intimate setting, with backing from assorted piano trios.

Pianist Bruce Barth plays a key role, appearing on eight of the 15 tracks, including two instrumental interludes ("O Christmas Tree" and "Greensleaves"), demonstrating a subtle touch in his sparse backing for Butler on "The Christmas Song" and a strong rhythmic drive accompanying the same singer on a bouncy "Sleigh Ride."

Other highlights include "Silent Night," on which Cook reflects her gospel roots; "I'll Be Home for Christmas," which Stallings turns into a plaintive blues; and "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" with Marie showcasing her caressing, girlish voice.

-- From wire reports