Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Blue Rodeo is a summer favorite. But here the veteran Canadian band brings its rootsy vibe to wintry songs, including Jim Cuddy’s new “Home To You This Christmas.” The group also delivers such superb covers as a chiming take on Big Star’s “Jesus Christ,” a warm rendition of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Song for a Winter’s Night” and a stirring version of The Band’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight.” 

Raised in the choir of her Baptist church, Measha grew up to become a respected opera singer. She draws on both musical influences on her first holiday album, which ranges from “Do You Hear What I Hear?” to a 16th century German carol. Measha also shows her soulful side with “The Little Drummer Boy,” which she turns into a funky Mardi Gras-style jam.

A star of stage and screen, Menzel sang the Oscar-winning song “Let It Go” in Frozen. Now the New York native lends her potent soprano to warming up old chestnuts like “Silent Night” and “What Are You Doing on New Year’s Eve?” But the highlights are her duet with Michael Bublé on “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s Christmas-themed “River.”

Nashville loves a little twang in its Yuletide. On his fourth holiday album, Smith brings together the top names in country music, including Vince Gill and Martina McBride, to join him on their favorite festive tunes. The Grammy-winning singer also duets with Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum, but saves the biggest surprise for “The Darkest Midnight,” a traditional Irish carol read by U2’s Bono.

“I love everything about the holidays,” enthuses Rimes—so much so that the Grammy-winning country star is releasing a trio of Yuletide-themed EPs over the next three years. The first finds her covering favorites originally recorded by Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder and Dolly Parton, whose “Hard Candy Christmas” allows Rimes a chance to put her own sweet touch on the season.