Sooner or later, everyone makes a Christmas album

Selected music reviews:

Jessica Simpson, “ReJoyce: The Christmas Album” (Columbia)

Jessica Simpson offers a variety of holiday treats that will appeal to both her young fan base and the older set on “ReJoyce: The Christmas Album.”

She wisely chose to anchor “ReJoyce” (named for her late grandmother) with classics like “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “O Holy Night” and “What Child is This.” She delivers a simply beautiful rendition of “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song),” and she performs “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” with a gospel choir.

On the flip side, Simpson puts her own stamp on standards like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow,” giving both a retro-’50s jazzy treatment. She also updates “The Little Drummer Boy,” with sister Ashlee. The throwback vibe continues on the album’s first single “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with husband Nick Lachey and the fun “It’s Christmas Time Again.” And “What Christmas Means to Me” is bright and catchy.

The only drawback to the album is that it’s poorly organized. Tracks jump from the most serious of religious carols to quick, catchy tunes without giving listeners much time to change gears.

Chris Isaak, “Chris Isaak Christmas” (Warner)

Ripping off wild guitar riffs in between the smoothest of smooth vocals has always been Chris Isaak’s claim to fame, and it’s charming to hear him pull it off again on “Chris Isaak Christmas” without sounding redundant or unnecessary.

Hearing him put his signature croon on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” feels perfect.

He hits all the right notes on “The Christmas Song” too, with light and jazzy guitar chords melting into the background.

His backing band, Silvertone, is in top form as usual. With Isaak’s pipes and Silvertone’s thoughtful approach to each song, “Chris Isaak Christmas” makes for great listening with a holiday toddy in hand.

Or cocoa for the kids, of course.

Barenaked Ladies, “Barenaked for the Holidays” (Desperation Records)

With a carefree, play-it-as-it-goes attitude, it was only a matter of time before the all-male quintet cut a holiday-oriented LP. But, unlike other efforts by other bigger names, “Barenaked for the Holidays” isn’t just a bunch of cast-off singles and retreads of standards aimed at cashing in on the festive spirit (and open pocketbooks) of the holidays.

Indeed, this 20-song, nearly 47-minute album is the personification of Barenaked Ladies: fun, irreverent and just what you need to hear, whether sitting around the Christmas tree, lighting the Menorah or grumbling about the throngs of crowds at the department store.

There’s a nice blend of holiday favorites on here – “I Saw Three Ships” and “O Holy Night” and “I Have a Little Dreidel” – but the true gems are the originals. “Elf’s Lament,” is a laugh-aloud look at what it’s like for Santa’s elves.

Other originals include “Christmas Pics,” a jazz-inflected look back at family traditions and photo snapshots of the holidays. Throw in a cover of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and the holiday is complete.

There’s an infectious energy all through BNL’s holiday album.

LeAnn Rimes, “What a Wonderful World” (Curb)

In her first Christmas album, LeAnn Rimes offers 10 songs, most of them familiar, and all but one a Christmas song.

That lone exception is “What a Wonderful World” – a delightful sentiment indeed. It’s one of the album’s better cuts, mainly because Rimes handles the lyric with grace and humility.

On some other tracks, however, Rimes reaches beyond her pleasant voice and needlessly creates a “style,” with excessive warbling where simpler straightforward singing might better serve her capable voice and listeners’ ears.

“A Different Kind of Christmas” is one of three cuts co-written by Rimes. Its post-Sept. 11 theme is a bit of a downer, but the melody is pleasant.

Rimes’ other co-creations are the bluesy “Just Love Me” and a ballad called “Miss You Like Christmas.”

Its mix of surefire classics and some appealing less-familiar songs will help this album find its audience. And Rimes has a pleasant voice, especially when she isn’t trying to do too much with it.

Dianne Reeves, “Christmas Time Is Here” (Blue Note)

On her first-ever holiday CD, Dianne Reeves displays the virtuosity that has helped her garner an unprecedented three straight Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album. The result is a holiday CD that is innovative yet respectful of the Christmas tradition, with Reeves putting her own jazzy stamp on 11 seasonal tunes.

Reeves has shaped these holiday tunes to fit her own musical tastes, but her performances are always accessible. It’s a Christmas CD that should keep on giving a warm glow for seasons to come.

Dionne Warwick, “My Favorite Time of the Year” (DMI Records)

It’s a bit surprising that Dionne Warwick, who has been around for decades, is just now taking a crack at yuletide classics.

The jazzy “My Favorite Time of the Year,” finds Warwick still in fine voice, and recalls her sound during the ’80s, the “That’s What Friends Are For” era.

Gladys Knight joins Warwick for a stirring version of “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas.” Also strong is “I Believe in Christmas,” aided by BeBe Winans’s soulful tenor. Jazz sax player Dave Koz lays melodies on a few tracks to give the album some hint of contemporary life.

But a few of the traditional Christmas tracks aren’t as catchy as the collaborations, and much of the album falls flat. Though “My Favorite Time … “might please hardcore Warwick fans, that will probably be about it.

Various artists, “The Soulful Sounds of Christmas” (Rhino)

For those moments when Christmas is warming the house with holiday spirit, there is a cheerful collection of recent nostalgia in “The Soulful Sounds of Christmas.”

Who knew Run-DMC’s 1987 “Christmas in Hollis” would hold up so well? But in today’s age of aggressively postured rap, these pioneers indeed seem fresh. Other ’80s flashbacks from New Edition and Whitney Houston work as well.

There are lighthearted songs, like Babyface’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and TLC’s “Sleigh Ride,” as well as the spiritually weighty. Yolanda Adams offers a powerful “O Holy Night,” Take 6’s characteristically wondrous voices anoint to “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and Kirk Franklin and the Family raise the roof with their gospel-inflected “Behold the Lamb.”

The album is a well-chosen compilation that hits the right notes of mirth, merriness and holiday magic.

Mannheim Steamroller, “Christmas Celebration” (American Gramaphone)

It isn’t Christmas until Mannheim Steamroller rolls out its rhythmic yuletide arrangements.

So let the holiday season begin – with the release of Mannheim Steamroller’s “Christmas Celebration,” a compilation of previous recordings and a few new ones. The album marks the 20th anniversary of the first Christmas album by the band lead by Chip Davis.

“Christmas Celebration” features songs from four albums and includes such traditional fare as “Deck the Halls,” “Hallelujah” and “Fum, Fum, Fum.” But it is the album’s first song “Celebration,” a new song, that is the surprise. With its horn-drenched lead in and its heavy synthesizers, the song is a reminder why Mannheim Steamroller continues to own the holiday season.

Also included on the album is a previously unreleased version of “Traditions of Christmas,” which features vocals by LynnDee Mueller and the Cambridge Singers.

So heat up the cider, stoke the fireplace, turn on the Christmas lights and let the holiday season begin – with the strains of Mannheim Steamroller.