When November rolls around so do our thoughts of the upcoming holiday season. So often, it is the sounds of Christmas and the approaching New Year that cause us to start to evaluate the content of our life, where we have been, who we have touched and who has touched us. There are, of course, the traditional sounds that make us pause and smile, sounds like Nate King Cole's "Have Yourself A Merry Christmas Little Christmas" or Ertha Kitts "Santa Baby", but we have the opportunity to make new traditions of our own for ourselves and for our families.

A few of the exceptional new offerings this season include releases from James Taylor, Bette Midler, Mary Mary, and Chris Botti. Here are a few samples!

From James Taylor at Christmas (Columbia) here's "Jingle Bells"!

James Taylor - Jingle Bells!

From Bette Midler Cool Yule (Columbia) here's her beautiful "From a Distance"!

Bette Midler - From a Distance!

From Mary Mary Christmas (Columbia) listen their glorious "Merry Little Christmas"!

Mary Mary - Merry Little Christmas!

and from Chris Botti's "Chris Botti December" CD (Columbia) hear "Baby It's Cold Outside" featuring Natalie Cole!

Chris Botti - Baby It's Cold Outside featuring Natalie Cole!

These are just a hint of what awaits on these recordings and what will surely set your Christmas spirit into high gear. If you're entertaining this season one or all of these will surely capture the perfect holiday mood.

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