Christmas Album
Johnny Mathis is one of the few classic artists whose names have become synonymous with the holidays. He practically owns "Marshmallow World," for instance. The silky smooth crooner has released at least one new Christmas album every decade since his '50s hit-making heyday. His first entry of the 2000s may not be the best choice for the uninitiated, but anyone who's loved his Christmas music in the past surely won't be disappointed. Mathis's voice has matured, but that tenor is still beautiful, as he delivers his usual mix of carols and pop standards. Like so many other Christmas artists, Mathis is at his best when he's covering the already familiar: "Frosty the Snowman" and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" pop like Sinatra here, making up for the rather unmemorable "Heavenly Peace." That voice, though, has always been an instrument of romance and fantasy, two elements that blend perfectly with the holiday spirit.--Bill Holdship