A truly Christmas would match the distraught look on the cover. 's first Christmas album, guided by and , doesn't feature sad or embittered chestnuts like "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" or "Fairytale of New York" (was busy?). Instead, it contains a mix of standard holiday songs -- a couple playful, many solemn, all dramatic. It's a big production; an orchestra backs on most of the songs. She pours herself into all of the material, even when she's joined by (of all people) for a version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" that is overcooked. It could use a couple more joyous songs in the vein of 's "This Christmas," which is a delight despite so many versions since the original 1970 version. won't likely reach the high status of, say, 's , but it's a full-effort holiday release that many of her fans should be able to enjoy for several years. ~ Andy Kellman