A Merry Little Christmas

1	The Christmas Song 4:24
2	I'll Be Home for Christmas 4:15
3	White Christmas 4:22
4	Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 3:55
5	River 4:10
6	O Come, O COme, Emmanuel 3:29
7	Xicochi, Xicochi 2:17
8	I Wonder as I Wander 3:20
9	Away in a Manger 2:08
10	Lo! How a Rose E're Blooming 2:10
11	Welsh Carol 3:57
12	Past Three O'Cock 0:41
13	O Magnum Mysterium 3:19
14	Silent Night 3:06

Barnes & Noble

For her first holiday album, Linda Ronstadt draws on her love for traditional American standards -- a sound she successfully explored in the mid-'80s with Nelson Riddle's orchestra -- and her well-tuned ear for church chorales. She gives the 14 songs here a loving treatment, lacing the first half with lush string arrangements, mellow horns, billowy harmonies, and jazzy piano tinkling while rendering the later tracks in instrumentally stark but vocally rich settings more befitting a church dais than a Broadway stage. Many of the tunes here will be familiar to even casual carolers, including a colorful reading of the Nat "King" Cole chestnut "The Christmas Song," a delicate "Away in a Manger," and a choral "Silent Night." An easy standout is a dramatic rendition of "White Christmas," with Ronstadt duetting with Rosemary Clooney; standards fans will also enjoy how Ronstadt's startling soprano gives "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" a surprisingly fresh edge. Another unexpected turn is her take on Joni Mitchell's lovely "River" (originally from Blue), a piano-based ballad with a mournful tone. Those looking for something to uplift their spirits over the holidays will do well to turn to Ronstadt's gorgeous a cappella versions of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and "Welsh Carol," with choral arrangements provided by the Choir from Tucson, and the Aztec lullaby "Xicochi, Xicochi," with a rich organ backdrop. Lydia Vanderloo

All Music Guide

A surprising holiday album from Linda Ronstadt, who has chosen to include just a handful of standards and only one song in Spanish. The remainder of the tracks are traditional old English and Welsh Christmas songs, sung in Ronstadt's familiar warm voice. Highlights include a brassy duet with Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" and the contemporary "River," which sounds almost like the singer has been listening to a lot of Sarah McLachlan. On the whole, A Merry Little Christmas is a warm window into what Linda Ronstadt considers to be her favorite songs of the season. Zac Johnson