Fantasia: ‘Christmas After Midnight’ (Concord)PhotoFantasia doesn’t stint on the high-flying melismas that made her an “American Idol” winner on “Christmas After Midnight,” a set of largely familiar Christmas songs with arrangements leaning toward small-group jazz. So it’s a surprise that it chose to treat the Christmas album concept not as a layup, but as an opportunity. “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” focuses on R&B from 1945-49, before rock ’n’ roll but no less rambunctious. J. P.Various Artists: ‘Cool Blue Christmas: Christmas in Jail (Ain’t That a Pain)’ (Contrast)Even in the earliest days of recording, Christmas was an opportunity for musicians to change emotional registers. On this two-disc set — also part of the “Cool Blue Christmas” series — Contrast Records collects seasonal singles from 1924 to 1944.

Source: New York Times November 29, 2017 17:48 UTC