December 2005

Kenny G
The Greatest Holiday Classics
Arista Records

By Tad Hendrickson

The man everyone loves to hate--or love. This greatest hits collection (he's already done three Christmas albums, people) features 12 songs from Christmases past and four new tunes for this year. He's not going to give Coltrane a run for his money on "My Favorite Things," and Bing Crosby's seminal "I'll Be Home for Christmas" won't be displaced. As if the demographic needed to be any wider, Mr. Gorelick tosses in "The Chanukah Song" for good measure. If it's smooth-jazz Christmas hits you want, here you go. There are, however, other options.