Plus: Bootsy Collins [ tickets ], Sarah McLachlan [ tickets ], Twisted Sister, The dB's, more

James Taylor [ tickets ]
"James Taylor at Christmas"
(Columbia)

The singer/songwriter is joined by such stars as trumpeter Chris Botti and vocalist Natalie Cole on this holiday set. The record features many of the same tracks that were on Taylor's previous seasonal outing, 2003's "James Taylor: A Christmas Album," a collection that was sold exclusively at Hallmark stores.

Bette Midler [ tickets ]
"Cool Yule"
(Columbia)

The Divine Miss M enters the holiday-CD sweepstakes with this collection of such wintry classics as "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"

Wynonna Judd [ tickets ]
"A Classic Christmas"
(Curb)

Naomi's daughter turns down the country vibe and goes for a classy, traditional pop sound on this set. "A Classic Christmas" features such yuletide favorites as "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland" and "Ave Maria."

Bootsy Collins
"Christmas is 4 Ever"
(Shout)

For those who complain that there simply aren't enough Christmas funk records, Bootsy Collins comes to the rescue with "Christmas is 4 Ever." The funk master, known for his work with George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic, delivers such soon-to-be holiday classics as "Winter Funkyland" and "Jingle Belz."

Sarah McLachlan
"Wintersong"
(Arista)

The Canadian songbird follows 2003's "Afterglow" with her first Christmas CD. The setlist features such staples as "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Silent Night" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" as well as one original composition (the title track) and a version of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)."

Aimee Mann
"One More Drifter in the Snow"
(Superego)

The 46-year-old Grammy-winner sings such holiday standards as "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." The vocalist also mines Dr. Seuss' world for "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

Original Soundtrack
"Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas"
(Disney)

It would be hard to improve on the original Danny Elfman score to this film. Yet, the marketing wizards at Disney have decided to re-release the soundtrack with a second disc that features songs by the likes of Marilyn Manson, Fiona Apple, Fall Out Boy, She Wants Revenge and Panic! At the Disco.

Twisted Sister
"A Twisted Christmas"
(Razor & Tie)

Looking for what to put under the Christmas tree for the old-school glam-metal fan in your house? Look no further than Twisted Sister's "A Twisted Christmas." Dee Snider and company have added their own special twist to such holiday gems as "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Deck the Halls" and "O Come All Ye Faithful."

The dB's & Friends
"Christmas Time Again"

The dB's & Friends' "Christmas Time Again" has grown from an initial seven-song EP on Coyote Records to a 17-song CD in 1993, and finally into a new 23-song edition. Additions featured on the new collection include Peter Holsapple's "Home for the Holidays," performed by The dB's (with special guest Caitlin Cary); "Christmas Time Is Here" by Thad Cockrell and Roman Candle; "Lonely Christmas" by Marshall Crenshaw; two tracks by R.E.M. producer Don Dixon ("I Saw Three Ships" and "Christmas Is Saturday"); and a previously unreleased track by Ryan Adams & Whiskeytown titled "Houses on the Hill."

Sufjan Stevens
"Songs for Christmas"
(Asthmatic Kitty)

The prolific indie singer/songwriter has unleashed a five-CD set that includes selections he recorded from 2001 through this past summer. The tracks are about evenly split between Stevens originals and traditional seasonal standards.