Bob Dylan, 'Christmas in the Heart'

Release date: October 13, 2009
Record label: Columbia
Official Web site: http://www.bobdylan.com/

The buzz: No major artist in popular music has continued to perplex fans for as long and as thoroughly as Bob Dylan. In keeping with his awesome streak of capriciousness, the shape-shifting icon follows April’s excellently dusty, chart-topping studio album, “Together Through Life,” with this collection of Christmas classics.

The verdict: For the legions of Dylan enthusiasts who embrace his magnificently craggy voice and ancient-sounding recent records, “Christmas in the Heart” will be received as a most rewarding present. No, you won’t be able to put it on the stereo and win over your non-believing family members and friends. In all likelihood, the album would bring your eggnog-fueled holiday bash to a frosty halt. But for the Dylan die-hards, it will be a sheer joy hearing the singer caress standards like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “O' Little Town of Bethlehem.” The production is predictably low-key and country flavored, with Dylan, who produced as usual under the alias Jack Frost, using basically the same road band heard on “Together Through Life.” Come to think of it, “Christmas in the Heart” does contain one track that might keep the party going—or even get it started. Fueled by the boisterous accordion work of Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo, Dylan turns in a supremely cheery, rollicking rendition of “Must Be Santa.” 

Did you know? Dylan has promised that all U.S. royalties will be donated to Feeding America—forever.