Well, The Beach Boys are synonymous with the sound of summer so by releasing a Christmas Album they instantly rank highly as alternative sound of Christmas with their harmonious yuletide fare.

Brian Wilson pop sensibilities are sweet as a fat man in a red suit on Christmas standards such as ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Frosty the Snowman’ as well as contemporary tunes like ‘Blue Christmas’ and ‘The Man with all the Toys.’

Originally released in 1964, the Capitol reissue includes four bonus tracks, including ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and the single version of ‘Little Saint Nick.’

The full listing of the The Beach Boys Christmas Album is:

1. Little Saint Nick
2. The Man With All The Toys
3. Santa’s Beard
4. Merry Christmas, Baby
5. Christmas Day
6. Frosty The Snowman
7. We Three Kings Of Orient are
8. Blue Christmas

1. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
2. White Christmas
3. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
4. Auld Lang Style
5. Little Saint Nick (Single Version)
6. The Lord’s Prayer
7. Little Saint Nick (Alternate Take)
8. Auld Lang Syne (Alternate Take)

The Beach Boys -- Little Saint Nick

For more information on The Beach Boys Christmas Album click here.

Buy your alternative christmas songs and albums from the Alternative Christmas Song Store .

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‘Christmas in the Heart’ (Columbia) follows ‘Together Through Life’ making it the second Dylan album in the same year, so maybe everyday is Christmas for Dylan’s fans.  Christmas in the Heart is a collection of 15 songs none of which are original Dylan compositions.

The Christmas album comes in at 42 minutes long and includes standards such as Winter Wonderland, The First Noel and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

The album cover depicts a 19^th century two horse and open sleigh theme. Dylan generally divides and this Christmas album will be loved or hated by Dylan fans in equal measure. Only time will tell if it will make it to a more mainstream Christmas album rotations alongside Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and Elvis by a wider audience or will be listened to be those with a more alternative and eclectic tastes.

It’s Christmas and a time of charity so it’s worth noting that all present and future sales of Christmas in the Heart will be shared equally by three charities that seek to feed the hungry.

The full track listing for Christmas in the Heat is:

Here Comes Santa Claus
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Winter Wonderland
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Little Drummer Boy
The Christmas Blues
O’ Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Must Be Santa
Silver Bells
The First Noel
Christmas Island
The Christmas Song
O’ Little Town Of Bethlehem

More reviews of Bob Dylan ‘Christmas in the Heart’ online

Christmas in the Heart Review

Bob Dylan Christmas Album Review

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Their are a couple of little gems in here. One of Elvis looking slighty worse for wear (maybe he indulged in the Christmas spirits a little to early. What is in his tea cup?) and some unsure muscians in the background are worth noting.

Meanwhile Jonny Cash endorses Coca-Cola, the soft drinks company who put Santa Claus in a big red suit and marketed their sugary soft drink to the world.

So whether you are drinking hard liqour, soda pop or a cup of tea this Christmas, we raise a glass to you -- have yourself a very merry alternative Christmas!

Elvis Presley -- Merry Christmas Baby

Jonny Cash -- Christmas As I knew It

Elvis Presley -- If Every Day Was Like Christmas Time

Jonny Cash -- Daddy Sang Bass

Elvis Presley -- I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day

Jonny Cash -- 12 Days Of Christmas

Elvis Presley -- I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Jonny Cash -- Amazing Grace

Elvis Presley -- It Wont Seem Like Christmas Without You

Jonny Cash & June Carter Cash -- Darlin Companion

Elvis Prsley -- The First Noel

Jonny Cash -- Coca-Cola Christmas Commercial -- Thing Called Love

>> Find your favourite alternative Christmas songs in the store <<

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Music: Branch in the Spokes by Matter Scumaci

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Watching these videos and listening to these songs reminds me of what is important in life, not just Christmas -- family, friends and those less fortunate then ourselves.

I don’t want to preach but, these innocent times depicted in these videos were not that long ago but seem an age away from the rampant consumerism, me me me culture we live in today. No wonder the world is the mess it is.

Enjoy the songs and have a beautiful Christmas.

Elvis Presley -- Merry Christmas Baby / Blue Christmas -- The King looking the best he ever did and havin’ a whole lotta fun doing what he did best TCOB.

Jonny Cash -- Christmas Guest

Elvis Prseley -- It Wont seem Like Christmas Without You

Jonny Cash -- Silent Night / Little Drummer Boy

Elvis Presley -- Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees

Jonny Cash -- Christmas As I Knew It

Elvis  Presley -- Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me

Jonny Cash - I Believe

Elvis Presley and Martina McBride -- Blue Christmas  from the album Blue Christmas 2008

Jonny Cash - 12 Days Of Christmas

Find you favourite alternative Christmas songs to download here .

Technorati Tags: alternative, christmas, elvis, jonny cash, june carter cash, martina mcbride, presley, songs, Videos