Cheetah Girls, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Among Artists on Top 5 Christmas Carol CDs

Christmas carols come in all genres and appeal to different people for different reasons. Music CDs are great, low-cost stocking stuffer gifts that the recipient can enjoy for years to come. Here are my top 5 picks for Christmas carol CDs in the categories of rock, pop/jazz, country, teen pop and children's songs.

Rock

Rock music fans who are into listening to the wail of an electric guitar will love the Christmas songs on the CD titled "Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas". It was released in 1997 and features a multitude of talented guitarists such as Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Richie Sambora, and Steve Morse. You can buy the CD online at amazon.com for around $14.00.

Songs: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, First Nowell, Amazing Grace, Jingle Bells, Silent Night/Holy Night Jam, Joy to the World, Christmas Time is Here, Blue Christmas, Blue Christmas, Little Drummer Boy, Cantique de Noel , Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Pop/Jazz

If you're searching for a gift for the Pop / Jazz music lover, consider the classy CD titled "What a Night! A Christmas Album" by Harry Connick, Jr. It was recorded with a big band and orchestra to give the pop / jazz feeling that Connick is known for. The CD was released on 11/4/08. It sells online at Barnes and Noble for $15.99.

Songs: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, What a Night, Christmas Day, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, Please Come Home for Christmas, O Come All Ye Faithful, Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies, Let There Be Peace on Earth, Winter Wonderland, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Santarrific, Jingle Bells, Zat You Santa Claus, We Three Kings, Song for the Hopeful, Christmas Time is Here, Deck the Halls, Oh Christmas Tree. Listen to sample tracks by clicking here.

Country

Country music fans will clamor to get their hands on the CD titled "Today's Country Christmas". It can be purchased online at Amazon.com for $6.99. The CD features 10 carols sung by various artists such as Lonestar, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Diamond Rio, Sara Evans, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, and Alabama.

Songs: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan, I Only Want You For Christmas, Bells are Ringing, Christmas Spirit, Go Tell it on the Mountain, It Won't Be Christmas Without You, What Child Is This, 364 Days To Go, The Blessings

Teen Pop

If your teenage daughter is a Cheetah Girl fan, then the CD Cheetah-licious Christmas is a must have gift. The CD was released in October of 2005 and sells new for $9.98 online at Amazon.com. You can also listen to sample tracks online at Amazon as well.

Songs: Five More Days 'Til Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, The Perfect Christmas, The Cheetah-Licious Christmas, A Marshmallow World, Christmas In California, No Ordinary Christmas, All I Want For Christmas Is You, This Christmas, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, The Simple Things, Last Christmas, Feliz Navidad

Young Kids

Who better to sing Christmas songs for children than children themselves? Young kids will love to sing along to the carols on the CD titled " Children Sing for Children: 25 Christmas Songs". You can buy it on Amazon.com for a mere $2.98.

Songs: We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells, O Tannenbaum, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, The Holly and the Ivy, Away in a Manger, O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, We Three Kings of Orient Are, Angels We Have Heard on High, The Coventry Carol, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Sing We Now of Christmas, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Come Little Children, Deck the Halls, What Child Is This, Good King Wenceslas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, The First Noel, The Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night

Sources: www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com