New Christmas CDs this season

Here's a look at new Christmas CDs this season:

ASHTON ALLEN; "The Christmas Songs" (Barnes & Noble)

Ashton Allen's music falls into a number of categories. But this collection, done exclusively for Barnes & Noble, is all about Christmas. It features five traditional favorites such as "O Little Town," "Jolly Old St. Nick" and "Joy to the World" done in his folky style. There are also six original songs, written by Ashton and Devin Moore, that cover a wide spectrum of seasonal feelings, from the novel "West Coast Christmas" to the evocative "When It Starts to Snow" and the universal messages of "When It's Christmas Time." — Carma Wadley

TONY BENNETT; "A Swinging Christmas" (Columbia Records) One of the legends of pop and jazz, Tony Bennett must be related to the Energizer Bunny — he just keeps going and going. At age 82, his latest offering is a Christmas collection that is his first holiday album in 40 years. This one was recorded live with the Count Basie Big Band, and it's vintage Bennett,albeit with an older voice that now speaks many of the lyrics as much as sings them. Fans won't care a bit; it works very well with his style. The album contains such favorites as "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Silver Bells, " "O Christmas Tree" and "Christmas Time Is Here."He is joined by daughter Antonia on a fun version of "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" and offers up a jazzy "My Favorite Things," as well as other songs of the season. — C.W.

PAT BOONE; "The True Spirit of Christmas" (Altered Music)

Pat Boone has done five Christmas albums, and, as he says in the liner notes, "thought all the good songs about Christmas has surely been written." But then he was introduced to Paul Alter. The creator of TV game shows such as "The Price Is Right" and "Family Feud" also happened to have a drawerful of Christmas songs that he had written. The result is a two-disc collection of Boone singing a number of Alter's songs, as well as a few new ones of his own.The songs are mostly lighthearted and fun, talking about "The Drummer Boy Next Door," "The 12 Days After Christmas" and "The Fruitcake." There's an interesting tribute to Orson Welles, with "Rosebud," and to the soldiers with "In Harm's Way." Boone still has a pleasant voice, although his range is more limited these days. And while there aren't any instant classics here, his fans will enjoy the collection. — C.W.

THE BOXMASTERS; "Christmas Cheer" (Vanguard)