Alan Jackson Let It Be Christmas (ACR)

Alan Jackson’s big band Christmas! He drags a whole horn section through “Winter Wonderland” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” and the effect, though jarring, works well with Jackson’s smooth delivery. He also pulls off a Western-swing version of “Jingle Bells,” with some jazzy Brent Mason guitar work and some verses you probably didn’t know about. Otherwise, it’s Christmas-by-the-numbers, lush arrangements et al., but Jackson’s voice works it well.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.