Various Artists - It's Christmas Time

Sometimes you just want the classics, sung by the voices that made them classics. It's Christmas Time gathers holiday recordings from the golden age of American popular song into a single LP, bringing together names like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Harry Belafonte on one record.

The eighteen-track running order leans toward the songs everybody knows. "Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells," "White Christmas," "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and "Sleigh Ride" keep the mood bright, "Mary's Boy Child" and "Silent Night" bring a quieter, more reverent touch, and rock and roll-era favorites like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Jingle Bell Rock" add some swing to the second side. "Santa Baby" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" round out a set built for playing straight through.

It is an easy, crowd-pleasing pick for the holiday party or the first record on the turntable once the decorations go up.

This single-LP compilation presents eighteen tracks across two sides.