Female vocalists deck the halls with holiday albums

A flock of female singers offer Christmas collections this season, beginning with October releases from the Indigo Girls' Holly Happy Days and Wilson Phillips' Christmas in Harmony. Upcoming holiday-themed albums include Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas II You, Susan Boyle's The Gift and A Christmas Cornucopia by Annie Lennox.

Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas II You
Following up Mariah's 1994 Merry Christmas album, a new set of pop/R&B-styled holiday songs from Island/Def Jam Music includes a new version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Traditional tunes from "The First Noel" to "Charlie Brown Christmas," plus originals, such as the single, "Oh Santa," are produced by American Idol's Randy Jackson, Jermaine Dupri and James Poyser (Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill). Releases November 2.

Susan Boyle, The Gift
With 500 million YouTube hits, this Britain's Got Talent contestant became an international singing sensation overnight with a hit debut album. The soprano's second album features a yuletide-themed collection of ten classics, like "O Holy Night" and pop songs such as "Don't Dream It's Over." Her own star search discovered Amber Stassi, who guest performs on the favorite "Do you Hear What I Hear." Releases November 9.

Annie Lennox, A Christmas Cornucopia
Drawn from British, French and German traditions, these hand-selected carols include "The Holly and the Ivy," "Il est né le Divin Enfant" and meaningful lullaby "Lullay Lullay." The dozen festive songs are accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra and the South African Children's Choir. Proceeds from the singer's composition "Universal Child" will support her foundation to support African women and children with HIV/AIDS. Releases November 16.

Pink Martini, Joy to the World
Number one on Amazon's holiday charts, this is a jazzy ode to international holidays with "Ocho Kandelikas," "Elohai N'Tzor" and guests including Japanese pop star Saori Yuki. The 14-song collection includes a rendition of Earth Kitt's "Santa Baby" and "Auld Lang Syne," sung by lead vocalist China Forbes. The 3D packaging from Heinz Records shows layers of city buildings with floating snowflakes. Releases November 16.

Jackie Evancho, O Holy Night
Coming in at number one on Amazon's music chart, the ten-year-old soprano from America's Got Talent releases her 4-track CD/DVD set, O Holy Night, featuring Christmas favorites like "Silent Night" and classics such as " Pie Jesu" on SYCO/Columbia Records. A DVD features Evancho's America's Got Talent performances and an interview. Due November 16.

RC