A Family Christmas

Few things evoke more holiday spirit than festive Christmas songs. On A Family Christmas, Putumayo offers a collection of yuletide favorites by a fascinating array of artists that every family is sure to enjoy while trimming the tree or sharing a holiday dinner.

Seattle-based Johnny Bregar delivers an acoustic rendition of the time-honored “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” recorded especially for this album. Sleigh bells jingle in singer-songwriter Martin Sexton’s stripped down version of “Holly Jolly Christmas.” Incorporating quirky vocals with a jazzy flare, California-based Big Bad Voodoo Daddy adds its signature retro-swing style to the Louis Armstrong hit “Is Zat You Santa Claus?,” bringing to mind images of Santa stealthily delivering presents to an eager household. And Leon Redbone’s heartwarming interpretation of the holiday standard “Let It Snow” will keep you cozy on the coldest of Christmas nights.

A Family Christmas also features classic songs by country music star Deana Carter, The Christmas Jug Band featuring bluesy singer-songwriters Angela Strehli and Maria Muldaur, British folksinger Kate Rusby, bluegrass innovator Sam Bush, and one of America’s best-loved party bands, Brave Combo. New Orleans-based husband and wife duo Debbie Davis and Matt Perrine and fellow Crescent City musicians Lars Edegran and His Santa Claus Revelers with Big Al Carson round out this joyous collection.