I Dream of Christmas, Norah Jones (Blue Note)

It's so easy for us crunchy rockers to dismiss Norah Jones as adult contemporary, even easier when her big hit "Don't Know Why" from 15 years ago still plays on everything from your Amazon Echo Dot to your grocery store's PA system. But Norah's ability to blend pop, rock, soul and even country in a single song hasn't left her, and though this 2021 Christmas collection sits comfortably in her discography, it also demands a hearing from you insufferable music snobs out there. You may find that her original holiday tunes like "Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)," "Christmas Glow," "Christmastime," "It's Only Christmas Once a Year," "You're Not Alone," and "A Holiday With You" might just take the place in your heart currently occupied by a classic Christmas standard. Also, you might not have expected to hear the Chipmunks' "Christmas Don't Be Late" as a torch song or "Run Rudolph Run" as a bossa nova, as you will when you cue up this album. She also puts her stamp on "White Christmas," "Blue Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," and "Christmas Time Is Here," closing with, not surprisingly, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Yes, it's all medium tempo or slower, but it's also smooth and soulful. Shouldn't leave without noting Norah isn't new to the Christmas realm, having cut a holiday EP with Puss N Boots a couple years ago and contributing "Peace" to Holidays Rule 2.