Carl Tanner started planning this CD back when he was a teenager singing with his church choir. He had to go on to be a truck driver, a bounty hunter and finally an opera singer before his dream was realized, but he should be well-pleased with the results. Tanner, who has graced stages worldwide from Covent Gardens to La Scala, brings a rich and powerful tenor voice to the task of singing his favorite Christmas songs. — C.W.

JAMES TAYLOR; "At Christmas" (Columbia)

With his distinctive sound and signature pacing, James Taylor has long been a fixture on the pop/folk music scene. He gives Christmas his unique spin on this collection of mostly "trads," as he calls them in the liner notes, songs such as "Winter Wonderland," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Newer songs, "River" and "Who Comes This Night," are a perfect fit for his voice and style. — C.W.

TWISTED SISTER; "A Twisted Christmas" (Razor & Tie)

Those wild guys of '80s metal, led by singer Dee Snider, have reunited for the holidays in this raucous and irreverent holiday album that includes "White Christmas," "Silver Bells" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (with guest vocalist/guitarist Lita Ford). The take on "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" would be wrong if it weren't drop-dead funny, as well as "Heavy Metal Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas)" — "Five Skull Earrings"? Listen to similar melodies of the band's biggest hit "We're Not Gonna Take It" and think "O Come All Ye Faithful." Scary, huh? — S.I.

THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SINGERS; "Christmastide" (University of Utah)

Under the direction of Brady R. Allred, the 46-voice University of Utah Singers have been garnering international recognition, and they bring that same excellence to this compilation that showcases their range, harmony and skill. "Infant Holy," "The Holly and the Ivy," "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" (two very different versions), "What Child Is This?" and "In the Bleak Midwinter" are here, as well as several newer songs — "Gabriel's Message," "Wishes and Candles," "This Christmastide." — C.W.

UTAH CHAMBER ARTISTS; "Joyous Day" (Clarion)