Gift tips
These albums will spread the Christmas spirit in 2021
Howard Carpendale gives his fans the album “Happy Christmas” for Christmas.
© Moritz Mumpi Künster
Still looking for a present? This year the soundtrack for the mess is provided by the albums by Howard Carpendale & Co.
If you are still looking for the soundtrack for the festival of love, you will again be spoiled for choice this year: Numerous stars have released new Christmas albums that are worthwhile as gifts for yourself or your loved ones. From hits to jazz to pop – these long players look great under the Christmas tree.
Michael Bublé – “Christmas (Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition)”
“Christmas” by Michael Bublé (46) is probably one of the most popular Christmas albums of all. The long player has sold 16 million times and has been streamed four billion times. The album will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2021. A deluxe version has been released for this occasion, which is a great gift this year for all fans and those who want to become one. Seven bonus tracks can be heard on the new version. Brand new are Bublé’s song “Christmas Sweater” and a new interpretation of the classic “Let It Snow!” included. The other songs on the long player include “The More You Give (The More You’ll Have)” and the duet “Winter Wonderland” with Rod Stewart (76).
Roland Kaiser – “Christmas Time”
Schlager legend Roland Kaiser (69) released his new album “Christmas Time” in October with the most beautiful German and international Christmas carols. “I was attracted by the idea of performing these world-famous pieces in a unique way. Every single song should be a little surprise. We actually managed that,” Kaiser says of his long player. You can hear, for example, “O you cheerful”, “Mary’s Boy Child”, “Every year again” and “Silent Night”.
Howard Carpendale – “Happy Christmas”
Howard Carpendale (75) also released a new Christmas album in 2021: “Happy Christmas”. After “Symphony of my Life” one and two, this is the third long player with the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – a worthy end to this trilogy. “The biggest challenge for me was to find the right title,” said the singer in a press release. Like his colleague Roland Kaiser, he relies on the Christmas classics such as “Leise der Schnee trickles”, “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland”, sometimes swinging, sometimes calm and festive.
Jamie Cullum – “The Pianoman At Christmas – The Complete Edition”
If you like to listen to the famous Christmas classics jazzed up, we recommend the new version of the album “The Pianoman At Christmas – The Complete Edition” by Jamie Cullum (42). The singer and multi-instrumentalist spreads a good mood with “Sleigh Ride” and “Winter Wonderland”, among others. Even with his interpretations of “Jingle Bells”, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Frosty The Snowman” it is difficult to stay in the chair. It gets quiet with “Amazing Grace” and “In The Bleak Midwinter”.
Kelly Clarkson – “When Christmas Comes Around …”
If you are more into pop music at Christmas, you should grab the new album by Kelly Clarkson (39): “When Christmas Comes Around …”. In addition to well-known Christmas carols, there are also new songs to be found on it, such as “Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You)” – sort of a reckoning for everyone who spends the first Christmas without their ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. Clarkson’s motto is that there is “no better time of year” to “breath new hope into life and sort out your options.” In addition to the pop singer, other superstars can be heard on the album, such as Ariana Grande (28) in the song “Santa, Can’t You Hear Me”.
Pentatonix – “Evergreen”
For those who love epic sounds and complex arrangements, we recommend “Evergreen” by the a cappella group Pentatonix. When it comes to songs for the holidays, the five band members are absolute experts, after all, “Evergreen” is their sixth Christmas album. For some songs, the three-time Grammy winners have brought the pop singer Alessia Cara (25) and star violinist Lindsey Stirling (35) on board. The album features Christmas classics as well as cover versions of well-known songs such as “The Prayer” by Celine Dion (53) and Andrea Bocelli (63) or “I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder (71).