BRAD PAISLEY; "Christmas" (Arista).

Brad Paisley is currently one of the hottest country singers around, so it's not surprising that his Christmas CD is filled with what has made him famous: unabashed country flavor, lots of steel guitar and twang, and a sometimes offbeat approach to life. There are traditional favorites — "I'll Be Home for Christmas" "Away in a Manger," "Silver Bells." There's a cover of Buck Owens' "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy," and Paisley gives "Winter Wonderland" a country spin. There's a fun duet with Paisley and his 13-year-old self singing one of the first songs he wrote, "Born on Christmas Day." — C.W.

RACHAEL RAY; "How Cool Is That Christmas" (Epic)

Rachael Ray is noted for whipping up interesting concoctions on the Food Network. Now she's come up with an interesting musical concoction that features some of her funky all-time favorites. Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby and David Bowie are all here, as well as Buster Poindexter, Willie Nelson and Frank Sinatra. Doris Day's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a reminder of how pretty her voice was as a singer before she took up acting. A young Aretha Franklin is also fun on "Winter Wonderland." Oh yes, there are recipes, too: Rachael's traditional Christmas Pasta and a "Fabulous 5-Minute Fudge Wreath." — C.W.

ANDRE RIEU; "Christmas Around the World" (Sony)

Andre Rieu has become the darling of the public-television crowd, and this CD is billed "as seen on PBS." If you have seen that show, you will know what's going on here. But if you haven't, you might wonder why Rieu isn't the major player here as he probably is onstage. But most of the songs are vocal numbers, performed by a variety of (unnamed in the liner notes) musicians to the accompaniment of Rieu and his orchestra. So you actually get very little in the way of violin music. (The instrumental "Star of Bethlehem" is the only exception.) More in the way of explanation would be helpful, but it is pleasant enough music. — C.W.

CARL TANNER; "Hear the Angel Voices" (TMG Records)