The McCrary Sisters, “A Very McCrary Christmas” (Rounder) This Nashville-based sibling gospel quartet emphasizes repertoire out of the African American church tradition, investing considerable verve to such touchstone numbers as “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Children Go Where I Send Thee” and “No Room at the Inn,” along with European-rooted fare including “O Holy Night,” “What Child Is This?” and “Silent Night.” Americana musicians with whom they often cross paths drop in on various tracks, among them Alison Krauss, Buddy Miller, Jerry Douglas and Keb’ Mo’ as well as celebrated gospel singer Shirley Caesar. Orchestral and choral forces abound in most of the dozen tracks, three benefiting from particularly inviting duet harmony parts for her collaborators: Broadway singer Jonathan Groff, theater-film actor and singer Darren Criss and British actress-singer Cynthia Erivo.
She wrote the title track, a bouncy musical sleigh ride through the city that never sleeps. Lea Michele, “Christmas in the City” (Sony/Masterworks) As the title telegraphs, Michele employs the most urbane approach imaginable, befitting her Broadway/Big Apple background. Duet partners include Ariana Grande, Josh Gad, Aaron Lohr and Billy Porter, and Menzel injects some freshness into the mix with less tried-and-true fare including the holiday romantic lament “Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas” and the sprightly Hanukkah-minded salsa “Ocho Kandelikas.”
Idina Menzel, “Christmas: A Season of Love” (SRV/Decca) Menzel is back with a second yuletide collection, following her 2014 “Holiday Wishes” album, and this one similarly pulls out all the stops as she fronts a big band and full orchestra on these mostly familiar tunes.