As its title suggests, this nice little album is a compilation of guitarist Eric Tingstad and woodwinder Nancy Rumbel's best holiday songs. The soothing acoustic refrains of "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "We Three Kings," "Away in a Manger" and "Catalan" bring simple joy to the songs, without commercial fanfare. The caring arrangement of "Silent Night" and the "First Noel" (printed as "The First Nowell") make it easy to understand why the duo won last year's Grammy for New Age album. — S.I.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA; "The Christmas Trilogy" (Lava)

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the brainchild of songwriter/instrumentalist/producer Paul O'Neill and co-producer Robert Kinkel, has become a Christmas tradition. The group, which features members of metal band Savatage, Alice Cooper's band and even Testament, have released three albums, "Christmas Eve and Other Stories," "The Christmas Attic" and the new one "The Lost Christmas Eve." Each album is a mini rock-opera about angels and the spirit of Christmas. Rocking versions of "O Holy Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" are highlighted by an orchestra. This box set features all the albums and a concert/concept DVD. "Christmas Canon," a take on Pachelbel's "Canon in D," and "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)," which is a rocked out version of "Carol of the Bells," are more of the highlights of this three-CD and DVD collection. It also comes with a booklet containing the complete liner notes and lyric sheet for each of the albums. — S.I

TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA; "Merry Fishes to All" (TFIA)

Arkansas' own duo of guitarist Ezra Idlet and bassist Keith Grimwood swims against the stream with a collection of silly songs and jingles celebrating everything from "Chocolate Christmas" to "I Got a Cheese Log" and twin snowflakes "Bob and Bob." They "cast a broad musical net" with sounds flavored by "New Orleans pralines and Gouda cheese." It's all very lighthearted, offbeat and fun for both kids and adults. — C.W.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Acoustic Christmas" (Favored Nations)

Simple non-electric guitars and drums along with some plugged-in and unplugged basses from the likes of Andy Timmons ("Greensleeves"), Adrian Legg ("Jingle Bells"), Pierre Bensusan ("Fodre L'Astronome") and Mimi Fox ("Winter Wonderland") are the highlights of this stripped-down holiday album. Peppino D'Agostino's "We Pray Sanctus" and Greg Koch's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" will make Christmas Eve romantic again. — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Cool December" (Shout Factory)