Christmas CDs

Pianist Jon Schmidt captures nicely the mood of soft winter snow as well as joyous holiday celebrations with both traditional and original offerings. He starts off with a lyrical rendition of "In the Bleak Midwinter," adds a wonderfully dignified "Wexford Carol" and includes a sweet, lullabye-like "Still, Still Still." "Pachebel Meets U2" in a uniquely spirited version of the famous canon. Schmidt also has some fun with "Ding Dong Merrily on High" on his "North Pole Express!" He throws in a bit of Bach, pays tribute to winter sports and finishes off with the Beatles, as his daughter Annie offers a tender version of "I Will." Rich orchestration enhances Schmidt's keyboard wizardry for a package that is especially satisfying. — C.W.

SANDRA SIMON, SOPRANO, JEANNETTE SORRELL, CONDUCTOR, APOLLO'S FIRE; "Noels & Carols from the Olde World" (Koch International Classics)

This is a charming and captivating album that contains a number of familiar carols. However, mixing "Il est n� le divin enfant" and "I Saw Three Ships" with sonatas by Heinrich Biber and Giovanni Cima, along with pieces by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Henry Purcell, qualifies this CD as eclectic. It isn't for everyone, but the album does put a wonderful historical perspective on Christmas. And the performances are delightful. Apollo's Fire, using period instruments, plays with a refreshing vibrancy, and Sandra Simon's light lyrical soprano is perfectly suited for this music. — E.R.

JESSICA SIMPSON; "Rejoyce: the Christmas Album" (Columbia)

Jessica Simpson fans will adore her on this Christmas album. And while albums like this are filled with over-produced takes on traditional and popular holiday songs, this album actually has a couple of nice suprises. Her take on Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" and "O Holy Night" are the standouts. Fans of "Newlyweds" and Simpson and her hubby Nick Lachey will like their duet on "Baby, It's Cold Outside." And whoever still likes Simpson's sister Ashlee after the lip-synching mishap on "Saturday Night Live" will probably like the siblings' duet on "Little Drummer Boy." But that's actually the weakest song on this album. — S.I.

FRANK SINATRA; "Christmas Songs By Sinatra" (Columbia/Legacy)

FRANK SINATRA; "The Christmas Collection" (Reprise)

These two albums have Frank Sinatra on mostly familiar holiday tunes. The first is early stuff, recorded from 1944-50, including two tracks from a TV show. The second album has recordings from 1957-91, including one track from a TV show, several duets with Bing Crosby and a few with Sinatra's entire family. Mostly these are previously issued songs, though both also offer previously unreleased tracks. Hey, it's Frank. And it's all good, baby. — C.H.

TINGSTAD & RUMBEL; "Peace on Earth: the Best of Tingstad & Rumbel Christmas" (Narada)