Top Ten Contemporary Christmas Holiday Playlist

Finding, sampling and downloading Christmas tunes for your mobile player or computer can cost you valuable time. Don't settle for a music library that sounds like it came from the elevator at work or chosen while listening to those dreadful drug store sound systems. There are many great contemporary Christmas tunes that you may have not had the opportunity to become acquainted with as yet. Here is my top ten list of the best of the best from R&B and pop artists.

l. Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" from the Closer album and is the Best of Sarah McLachlan. You will also be transported into "the arms of the angels" while listening to this haunting and sad melody which the A.S.P.C.A. and other humanitarian organizations have apparently adopted as their theme-song.

2. Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home" from his Outside: From the Redwoods album. It occurs before a live audience and runs a full 8 minutes. Kenny Loggins also joined Olivia Newton-John in 2010 for her Christmas releases, but this earlier work is by far his finest and can carry you from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Accompanied by keyboard. harmonica and saxophone, it will please even Kenny G fans.

3. Alvin Slaughter's "Jesus You Are Welcome Here" also song before a live audience. You may have seen this big baritone on the Trinity Broadcasting Network inspiring the faithful into a rousing round of spiritual praise and worship. I like this rock rendition because it remembers whose birthday it is and puts Christ back into Christmas.

4. Mariah Carey's "O Holy Night," from her latest Christmas II album and sung live at WPC in Los Angeles. You can actually hear the audience in extreme jubilation over this miracle singer's range and depth of soul. The New York Times apparently put her latest release on their suggested gift list for 2010. Don't miss the organ interlude.

5. James Taylor's "River" from James Taylor at Christmas album. The song was originally done by Joni Mitchell, but they both do a wonderful job. "I wish I had a river I could skate away on" will touch the heart of even the biggest Grinch. It is nice to have a Christmas song done accompanied with a simple guitar with the blues in mind and song by a professional who understands the meaning behind the words.

6. SWV's "Silver Bells" from A Special Christmas album. You may remember these Sisters With Voices from the 80s. Their album is filled with chit-chat among family, but this song is nicely presented and a wonderful prelude before the holiday. "It's Christmas time in the city." "Even stoplights blinking bright red and green." These gals give an inner city feeling to the whole preshopping holiday experience.

7. Brian McKnight's "The Christmas Song" from I'll Be Home For Christmas. This tune is apparently on everyone's collection, but this contemporary R&B artist does a nice straight-forward and upbeat job. Great for "kids from one to 92" with a Merry Christmas to you. Known for his vast collection of love songs, he does not disappoint here either.

8. NSync's "The First Noel" from Home for Christmas. Guy groups usually do not excite, but these fellows do a decent job of describing the shepherds in the fields and the King of Israel. It also gets interesting when their voices crack and reach for range. If you are tired of the perfectly pitched, you might enjoy this selection.

9. Michael McDonald's "White Christmas/Winter Wonderland" from This Christmas album. It starts out slow, but wait for it. This artist is always invited to appear live before media audiences and for good reason. He apparently never sings the same song exactly the same and does his own keyboard. The song takes on a life of its own when he gets to "conspire before the fire."

10. Ye-No's "Champagne Life" from Libra Scale album. This song can really fit in at any time, but I found it at Thanksgiving and it really helps to transport you into another fantasy dimension. Reminiscent of "Lives of the Rich and Famous" TV show it helps anyone get into the party mood and would be a good choice for New Year's.