Jan Daley: Home for Christmas

It's that time again.

Ready or not, that happy holiday season will include Christmas music. As someone once observed, everyone has a Christmas recording. It is probably harder to find someone who does not have a Christmas recording than someone who does. There is even a Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition of Mariah Carey's 1994 Christmas offering. Commemorative, even. So, why another?

Perhaps, one thinks, an original? Well, Jan Daley does offer one, "Can't Give You Any Answers." Apparently, she cannot, but the "Reason for the Season" can, which is reassuring. However, it is followed up by a sort of melismatic "White Christmas" which does make you wonder if climate change does make a White Christmas anywhere particularly likely, Beverley Hills or no? There is a heavily overdubbed "The First Noel" which is earnestly offered. No one is going to argue with the lyrics of "Grown-Up Christmas List," although Ms. Daley, who lists Bob Hope entertaining the troops in Viet Nam prominently on her resume, may consider if wishing for no more wars is a good career move.

Honestly, writing cynical reviews of Christmas music is a cliché itself. People who like splendiferous Christmas sounds will have no objection to it. Some indeed, have a generational weakness for Perry Como doing much the same thing. back in the day. This is a recording that is certain to please fans of Ms. Daley. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "The Christmas Song," will always resonate with someone, somewhere, and this is certainly a pleasant-enough way of hearing them yet once more. One advertisement for the recording calls it a "touch" of jazz. That sums it up.

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