Various Artists - Country Christmas [Green]

Country Christmas brings together some of the genre's most loved voices on Christmas tree green vinyl, a single-LP holiday collection built for warm rooms and long evenings.

The selection spans generations, from Gene Autry's singing cowboy days through to the big Nashville stars of more recent years. Classic crooners sit next to modern hitmakers, and holiday standards rub shoulders with songs written especially for a country Christmas. It plays like a well-stocked jukebox in a roadside diner on Christmas Eve, with something for the grandparents and the grandkids alike, and plenty of sing-along moments.

Autry's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brings the cowboy cheer, while Johnny Cash lends his deep, unhurried baritone to The Little Drummer Boy. Dolly Parton's Hard Candy Christmas is bittersweet and beautiful, with that famous voice finding hope in hard times. Alan Jackson keeps things lively on Honky Tonk Christmas, all twang and good humour, and there is also room for Willie Nelson, Alabama, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride, whose soaring voice closes the record in grand style.

Pull it out when the tree goes up and let it play right through to the new year. It is a seasonal favourite in waiting for any country household, and an easy one to love.