A Christmas with Aaron Tippin!

Review Score: (8/10)
Yeah, Aaron Tippin's a man's man. But he can also woo the ladies (or so I've heard) and with this CD, he can get down and celebrate a holiday...country style!

Now, this CD isn't going to be for everyone. For starters, there's the obvious fact over half this CD is new material, written by Tippin. And some of the others are "modern" classics. If you're wanting a traditional Christmas, you just might want to go somewhere else.

Not all of the new tracks are all that great, either. "It's Way Too Close To Christmas..." and the title cut are a bit...well, not pleasant. "Christmas is the Warmest Time of the Year" is a bit more listenable. "It's a Good Thing Santa Ain't Single" is a bit tacky, but I still enjoyed it. "The Year That Santa Never Came" is downright enjoyable, while "He Said That He Was Jesus" is a powerful, inspiring ballad. And "Mamma's Gettin' Ready for Christmas" is a good ol' rockin' redneck tune. Thank God I'm not in THAT family!

Tippin's covers of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Blue Christmas" aren't as good as the originals, but they're okay. "Away In a Manger" (a duet with his wife, though I honestly think the song would be better of without her) is still a Christmas classic. Tippin's version of "Run Rudolph Run" is the best--and funniest--I've heard yet. And "Silent Night" stunned the heck out of me...my favorite Christmas song, done with my favorite country baritone. Perfect!

So. Christmas. Aaron Tippin. You might not have previously put the two together--but now you can! "A December to Remember" isn't the best Christmas album to come out, that's true. Still, it's a pretty good album, and it'll certainly get you in the holiday mood. From baby Jesus to an electric eight-foot Santa, this CD has got it all!

More Reviews:

• Brilliant traditional country Christmas album
• Nice Mix of New and Familiar Holiday Songs