Erich Kunzel, known as the "Prince of Pop" in some circles, has released some 80 Cincinnati Pops projects over the years, reaching the heights on both classical and crossover charts. His works tend to be big, bold and innovative, and this one is a fine addition. With guest artists Ann Hampton Callaway, Tony DeSare, King's Singers, John Pizzarelli and Tierney Sutton, it stretches from easy listening to pop to jazz. Plus you'll hear nods to classical composers ranging from Johann Strauss to John Philip Sousa. — C.W.

THE LAWTUNES; "Merry Lexmas From The Lawtunes" (Lawrence Savell).

If you have lawyers on your list — make that lawyers with a sense of humor — here's the perfect CD. Just reading the notes can get you laughing. For example, The Lawtunes explain their role: "From their humble beginnings in Brooklyn, New York, on an appropriately blustery day in December, 1957, The Lawtunes have long been the lone (and occasionally nearly harmonic) voice filling the void, vacuum and other euphemisms for "not a whole lot" that is the unique genre of original law-related holiday music." The five-member group performs a number of songs with titles like "Another Billable Christmas," "A Footnote in My Stocking," "So if Your Client's Name Is Santa" and "The Twelve Days of Lexmas." Clever and fun. — C.W.

KATHY AND JANET LENNON; "Best Pals Celebrate Christmas" (KatJan Inc. Productions).

This year, in honor of their 50th anniversary as performers, Kathy and Janet Lennon have introduced a set of dolls. As part of that project, they put together a CD of favorite children's songs, and have followed that with a CD of Christmas songs: lullabys ("A Cradle in Bethlehem," "Away in a Manger") and songs geared to youngsters ("Pure Imagination," "Christmas Children"), as well as carols and others ("The Star Carol," "My Favorite Things," "What Child Is This," "Some Children See Him") — all done with the trademark harmony that made the Lennon Sisters famous. — C.W.

THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER; "An Acapella Christmas" (Rhino)

The pitch-perfect Manhattan Transfer offers such holiday standards as "Jingle Bells," "White Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," "Merry Christmas Baby," etc., each with that fabulous a cappella twist that only this quartet can offer. — Chris Hicks

JOHNNY MATHIS; "Gold: A 50th Anniversary Christmas Celebration (Columbia)