The star-studded, purpose-built Christmas compilation concept that has served the Special Olympics so well has been pressed into the service of Phoenix House, the largest non-profit drug abuse services agency in the country. This 1997 album makes quite an effort to find something for everyone, with young artists and established ones, rock and rhythm 'n blues going for the Christmas vibe. Like this year's Special Olympics album, however, most of the songs are on the serious side, with only The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Redd Kross and Marshall Crenshaw going uptempo and lighthearted in approach. Crenshaw gets collectors' points for faithfully covering Bob Seger's "Sock It To Me, Santa," while the Bosstones and RK contribute original tunes. Also coming across with originals are the Lovemongers, aka Heart's Wilson sisters, Bon Jovi and Tony Toni Tone, who do the only rap tune on the album. Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora contributes "O Come All Ye Faithful" and folkie Dar Williams does an elegant "What Child Is This." OMC perform the non-Xmas tune "My Favorite Things" for no apparent reason. Also on hand are Aaron Neville, Vanessa Williams, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Wendy and Carnie Wilson, Gloria Estefan, Suzanne Vega and Joan Osborne, whose "Children Go Where I Send Thee" is grittier than Natalie Merchant's pop-gospel version on A Very Special Christmas 3. Long out of print, but I've linked to an Amazon page with 3rd-party sellers.
A Home for the Holidays, various artists (Mercury)
The star-studded, purpose-built Christmas compilation concept that has served the Special Olympics so well has been pressed into the service of Phoenix House, the largest non-profit drug abuse services agency in the country. This 1997 album makes quite an effort to find something for everyone, with young artists and established ones, rock and rhythm 'n blues going for the Christmas vibe. Like this year's Special Olympics album, however, most of the songs are on the serious side, with only The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Redd Kross and Marshall Crenshaw going uptempo and lighthearted in approach. Crenshaw gets collectors' points for faithfully covering Bob Seger's "Sock It To Me, Santa," while the Bosstones and RK contribute original tunes. Also coming across with originals are the Lovemongers, aka Heart's Wilson sisters, Bon Jovi and Tony Toni Tone, who do the only rap tune on the album. Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora contributes "O Come All Ye Faithful" and folkie Dar Williams does an elegant "What Child Is This." OMC perform the non-Xmas tune "My Favorite Things" for no apparent reason. Also on hand are Aaron Neville, Vanessa Williams, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Wendy and Carnie Wilson, Gloria Estefan, Suzanne Vega and Joan Osborne, whose "Children Go Where I Send Thee" is grittier than Natalie Merchant's pop-gospel version on A Very Special Christmas 3. Long out of print, but I've linked to an Amazon page with 3rd-party sellers.
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