When it comes to Christmas tunes, many songs are identified with specific performers. "White Christmas" was a huge hit for Bing Crosby and Mel Tormé wrote "The Christmas Song" (which Nat King Cole made into a standard). Gene Autry introduced "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" while "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" had its debut with Judy Garland.

But those songs and other Yuletide favorites have been recorded a countless number of times in a wide variety of settings, from Dixieland and swing to pop, rock, country, semi-classical and sometimes gospel. The best standards are flexible enough to survive a wide variety of treatments, emerging intact and even stronger than before.

Home for Christmas has nine performances, none of which are famous but all of which are enjoyable. Diahann Carroll does her interpretation of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Jack Jones revives "White Christmas" and Vic Damone comes up with a fresh version of "The Bells of St. Mary's." While one would not immediately associate "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with Johnny Cash or "Joy to the World" with Joe Williams, these renditions work quite well. In addition, Patti Page interprets "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and saxophonist Boots Randolph (of "Yakety Sax" fame) puts plenty of feeling into "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells." This surprising and offbeat set will be easily enjoyed by fans of Christmas music.

Smooth Carols features Bing Crosby, and other crooners he influenced, performing Christmas songs. Dating from the 1940s and '50s, this collection gives listeners an opportunity to compare Bing Crosby with Mel Tormé (who performs his most famous composition, "The Christmas Song"), Perry Como ("Jingle Bells"), Dennis Day, Frank Sinatra ("Santa Claus is Coming to Town"), Buddy Clark, Dick Haymes, Dean Martin (a second version of "Jingle Bells"), Johnny Mercer (with the Pied Pipers) and Nelson Eddy ("Silent Night"). While Bing Crosby does not perform his most famous recording, "White Christmas" (Dick Haymes does the honors), he uplifts "Happy Holidays" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." All in all, Smooth Carols is a tribute to both the continuing vitality of Christmas music and the classic crooners.

—Scott Yanow