This budget compilation from the mid-nineties features Christmas tracks from Danny and the Juniors, the\Drifters, the Coasters, the Tokens and the Crickets among others. The set opens with one female vocal group (the Dixie Cups) and closes with another (the Shirelles).

Most of the songs are very familiar, but there are three that are not so obvious. I think I've heard A new baby for Christmas (performed here by Johnny Preston, though it may be a different version I heard elsewhere), but I don't think I've previously heard either Could spend Christmas with you (Tommy Roe) or Candy cane sugary plum (Danny and the Juniors) by anybody before.

If you are a fan of the music from the era, you are likely to enjoy this.

Tracks

1. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer (Dixie Cups)
2. Winter wonderland (Rockin' Robin)
3. Blue Christmas (Mike Berry)
4. Rockin' around the Christmas tree (Davy Jones)
5. Deck the halls (Crickets)
6. Frosty the snowman (Coasters)
7. Could spend Christmas with you (Tommy Roe)
8. Little drummer by (Tokens)
9. Sleigh ride (Diamonds)
10. O holy night (Danny and the Juniors)
11. A new baby for Christmas (Johnny Preston)
12. The Christmas song (Drifters)
13. White Christmas Frankie Ford)
14. Candy cane sugary plum (Danny and the Juniors)
15. Silent night (Shirelles)

John Denver had already recorded two Christmas albums before this one, these being Rocky Mountain Christmas and an album with the Muppets. This one was recorded to raise money for an environmental project that involved planting trees.

The album opens with John's own song, Christmas like a lullaby. It also features two Tom Paxton songs, these being the well-known children's song Marvellous toy and a song that I might or might not have heard before, The children of Bethlehem. The remaining ten songs are all very familiar, but there are differences here and there. The credits say that this version of Jingle bells has an extra verse written by Tom Paxton (yes, him again, but I like his music too). I need to listen more closely to see what the extra verse is about. One clear distinguishing feature of Jingle bells is the backing of a group of children, who can also be heard on Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. These children sing well and add something to the music.

If you enjoy John Denver's music, this album should appeal to you, although if you haven`t got Rocky Mountain Christmas, you may want that too as it features Please Daddy don`t get drunk this Christmas.

I always thought that Tina Turner had the kind of voice that ought to lend itself to country music, but I'd been advised to steer clear of her covers of country songs. More than thirty years after I was first given that advice, and needing something to make up the number for a "three for a fiver" deal, I took a chance, The album is neither vintage Tina Turner nor vintage country, but there are some good tracks here.

I think the ballads generally work best, and I particularly like Tina's version of Lovin' him was easier. Another good track is Stand by your man, which Tina could easily relate to through her problems with Ike. I can see why some people might not like this album, as she sometimes borders on shouting on the up-tempo songs such as the opening Lay it down and the closing You ain`t woman enough. It's easier to do that in pop and rock, but the extra prominence that country music gives to the voice calls for something else.

It is much better than I feared it could be, and I'm glad I bought it. If you're not sure, you may wish to listen to samples before buying.

Tracks

1. Lay it down
2. Lovin' him was easier
3. Good hearted woman
4. If this was our last time
5. Stand by your man
6. Freedom to stay
7. We had it all
8. Soul deep
9. If it's alright with you
10. You ain't woman enough to take my man

I have always loved the sound of a clarinet since childhood, but the clarinet is rarely used as a major instrument in mainstream vocal music, so I content myself with the occasional instrumental album. Upon seeing an Acker Bilk Christmas album, I knew I had to buy it. There are no real surprises here as Acker works his way through nineteen familiar tunes, five of them coupled in two medleys, with no attempt to change the familiar arrangement - and what would be the point anyway, as the clarinet itself provides the distinctive sound?

I find it slightly amusing that Little drummer boy appears on a clarinet album, and that In the bleak midwinter (which began life as a poem without any music) appears here, but they sound wonderful. If you enjoy the sound of the clarinet, this could be just the Christmas album for you.

Tracks

1. White |Christmas
2. Winter wonderland
3. Happy Xmas (war is over)
4. Little drummer boy
5. I'll be home for Christmas
6. O little town of Bethlehem
7a. The holly and the ivy
7b. Silent night
8. Blue Christmas
9. Have yourself a merry little Christmas
10. It came upon the midnight clear
11. In the bleak midwinter
12. When a child is born
13. Walking in the air
14. Hark the herald angels sing
15a. We three kings
15b. Once in Royal David's city
15c. Good King Wenceslas
16. The Christmas song

Before there were British record charts, and before I was even born, Perry Como already had plenty of American charts. The most recent of the 23 featured here (If, not to be confused with the identically titled song by Bread) started and ended its chart run while I was in my mother's womb. Some of these songs may have made the British sheet music charts, but even if they did, it might not be because of Perry's recording. For example, Perry had a huge hit with Far away places (featured here), but he faced stiff competition. Three other versions charted, with Bing Crosby's version spending three weeks at #2 during its chart run, while Margaret Whiting's version also peaked at #2, but spent six weeks there, while Perry's version peaked at #4. I like all three, but I like Margaret's version best.

Despite being released on a budget label, this compilation not only includes liner notes but also peak chart positions. More importantly, it contains a fine selection of Perry's early hits. During the period covered, Perry has eight #1 hits in America, and six of them are included here, occupying the first six places on the CD. The omissions are Surrender (which Woody Herman also took into the top ten) and Chi-baba Chi-baba (which Peggy Lee also took into the top ten), but they are not difficult to find elsewhere. The remaining tracks are not in any obvious order, and are certainly not based on chart dates or peak positions.

While by no means comprehensive, this compilation offers an excellent selection of hits from the early part of Perry Como's career.

Tracks

1. If
2. Till the end of time
3. Prisoner of love
4. Hoop-dee-doo
5. `A' You're adorable
6. Some enchanted evening
7. You won't be satisfied until you break my heart
8. Far away places
9. I'm always chasing rainbows
10. I wanna go home with you
11. Here comes heaven again
12. All through the day
13. Temptation
14. A dreamer's holiday
15. Because
16. Bali Ha'i
17. Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
18. Blue room
19. Forever and ever
20. So far
21. Long ago and far away
22. Just one way to say I love you
23. Let's take an old fashioned walk

Apart from track tiles, singers and songwriters, there is no other information here, but I didn't need any extra information. Most of the featured singers are represented by two tracks each, except for Eddy Raven (three tracks) and Jack Greene (just one track). While some country legends are featured, I wouldn't describe all nine singers as legends, even though there can be no doubt about their country credentials, and I enjoy hearing all of them sing. With the possible exception of the obscure Santa's on his way (Kitty Wells), you should be familiar with every song here via versions by other singers.

If you are familiar with other music by any of the singers here, the songs here sound exactly as you would expect based on their other music. So there is nothing exceptional to report. It's just a very enjoyable traditional country album featuring artists from the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties.

Tracks

1. Sleigh ride (Gene Autry)
2. Frosty the snowman (Gene Autry)
3. Santa Claus is coming to town (Skeeter Davis)
4. Rockin' around the Christmas tree (Donna Fargo)
5. Silver bells (Jeannie C Riley)
6. Have yourself a merry little Christmas (Eddy Raven)
7. Jingle bells (Donna Fargo)
8. I'll be home for Christmas (Eddy Raven)
9. Away in a manger (Kitty Wells)
10. Winter wonderland (Lacy J Dalton)
11. White Christmas (Boxcar Willie)
12. O little town of Bethlehem (Jack Greene)
13. Away in a manger (Jeannie C Riley)
14. Here comes Santa Claus (Lacy J Dalton)
15. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
16. Silent night (Eddy Raven)
17. Santa's on his way (Kitty Wells)
18. Blue Christmas (Boxcar Willie)

Following six years after their first album as the Little Willies, this second album was worth the wait. Norah Jones is the main vocalist, but Richard Julian sometimes joins her as duet partner, and he also gets to sing solo occasionally.

While most of these songs are covers, they aren't always the obvious classics that everybody knows. I worship you (Ralph Stanley) and Diesel smoke dangerous curves (a minor country hit for Red Simpson).are far from obvious choices, but they deserve their inclusion.

The ensemble took their name from Willie Nelson, and the song selection shows his influence as he wrote and recorded Permanently lonely, and also had huge country hits with If you've got the money I've got the time (originally a #1 country hit for Lefty Frizzell, it also became a #1 country hit for Willie Nelson) and Remember me (a #2 country hit for Willie Nelson). I think Willie also recorded For the good times, though the song is associated with other singers - Kris Kristofferson (who wrote and first recorded it), Ray Price (who had the country hit) and Perry Como (who had the pop hit).

The other famous songs here are Lovesick blues (originally recorded by Elsie Clark in the 1920's, but more commonly identified with Hank Williams and also a sixties #1 pop hit in Britain for Frank Ifield), Jolene (the Dolly Parton classic) and Fist city (one of Loretta Lynn's major country hits of the sixties).

Wide open road is an early Johnny Cash song, though it was not one of his hits. Nevertheless, it will be familiar to most fans of Johnny Cash.

Foul owl on the prowl doesn't really belong here, but I like it anyway. I'd never heard the song before buying this album, although I recognize the songwriters (A and M Bergman with Quincy Jones).

This album won't suit everybody (and if you've heard Norah's solo albums but nothing by the Little Willies, this will come as shock) but to my ears, this is a most enjoyable album.

Note that this is the re-titled UK edition of the American release Holidays Rule. If you have that, you won't need this as the track listing is identical. I would have bought the CD anyway, even if the UK release had retained the American title. It's the quality of the music that's important, not the title.

All the tracks were recorded specifically for this album, though at least some of the songs and some of the artists will be familiar to you. I think all the songs are covers; certainly most are, but I'm not sure about a couple of them. As for the artists, there are several who I don't recognize.

The artists I recognize from my CD collection are Rufus Wainwright (although his only previous appearance in my CD collection is via his contribution to The McGarrigle Christmas hour; he is, of course, a son of one of the McGarrigle sisters), Paul McCartney (who wrote one song here but performs a different song). Chris Thile (here as a member of the Punch brothers; he is in my CD collection as a member of Nickel Creek) and Irma Thomas (who recorded some brilliant soul music in the sixties; good to see that she is still active and in fine form). I'm sure I've heard of Holly Golightly somewhere, but I'll confess to total ignorance about the rest. Still, the music is of a high quality as I expected they would be, based on Macca's participation.

Macca's voice sounds better than one might expect of a man his age on a fine rendition of The Christmas song. Meanwhile, the Shins contribute a decent version of Macca's Wonderful Christmastime, although I still prefer the original.

I don't remember previously hearing Green grows the holly, apparently written by King Henry VIII. Elsewhere, it has been claimed that he is the writer of Greensleeves and / or What child is this (neither of which are featured here) and that he wrote other songs, but this is the first of those other songs that I've come across. Meanwhile, I see that the writer of Auld lang syne (Robert Burns, the famous poet) receives no credit, but although the very distinctive version of Auld lang syne (by Andrew Bird) took some getting used to. It`s wonderful.

Apart from Green grows the holly, the other song that I didn't recognize from the title was Senor Santa (Mister Santa) by Y La Bamba (with vocals by Luz Elena Mendoza), which is actually a version of the old fifties classic Mr Sandman (Chordettes) with modified lyrics - or maybe these lyrics are the originals and Mr Sandman came later.

It's great to hear another version of Everybody's waitin' for the man with the bag. I love Kay Starr's original, but I don't remember hearing another version. Sallie Fisher and Black Prince do the song full justice.

I also enjoyed Blue Christmas, given a country arrangement with a pedal steel guitar, with superb vocals by Erika Wennerstom. Her band's name is guaranteed to wind some people up, but at least it is unforgettable. That track is immediately followed by Santa bring my baby back to me, performed by another excellent female vocalist, Eleanor Friedberger, whose very name makes me feel hungry.

This is a magnificent multi-artist album that appears to benefit from having the same production team on every track. At some point, I hope to properly investigate some of the artists hitherto unknown to me, but for now I am pleased to have discovered them at all.

Katherine Jenkins recorded some Christmas songs for Decca, who have released a compilation featuring them together with a selection of sacred songs and called it My Christmas. However, this is the first bona-fide Christmas album by Katherine Jenkins.

The set opens with O come o come Emmanuel, a very slow song that is followed by the very upbeat Ding dong merrily on high. Two more contrasting Christmas songs would be hard to find, but Katherine is in top form on both songs and maintains the standard throughout the album.

Katherine sings the words (only partly in English) to In dulce jubilo, although the best-known version of this song is probably Mike Oldfield's instrumental version.

If you are looking for songs that aren`t heard too often, listen to Sleep quietly my Jesus (written by Ruth Heller, whose name I don't recognize), I wish you Christmas (written by John Rutter, whose name I certainly recognize) and Come what may (here performed as a duet with Placido Domingo, with two unfamiliar co-writers). Wexford carol and Angels from the realms of glory are traditional carols that don't turn up too often on mainstream Christmas albums.

This album provides an excellent mix of styles and sounds, while also mixing very familiar songs with some less obvious songs.

Finding 50 bad decisions from all of history and covering the entire world be easy, but choosing the most suitable 50 for inclusion was inevitably going to lead to criticism about what has been omitted. In my case, before I bought the book but looking at the chapter headings, I noticed two things immediately.

My first discovery was that Beeching isn't included. Even if he was merely carrying out instructions, the decimation of Britain's railway network and the related fiasco of the modernization program merit inclusion; in a book such as this, they could share a chapter.

My second discovery was that Y2K is here, but no way does it belong. I used to work in the IT industry, and I agree that the dangers were over-hyped, but if the IT industry hadn't done what was necessary, the doom-mongers predictions could have come true. So all the computer consultants that the author says were a waste of money were actually doing a very good job preventing catastrophes from happening.

I bought the book anyway, because there are a lot of bad decisions here that nobody could seriously disagree deserve to be here, while there are other bad decisions that I'd either forgotten about, or maybe didn't know about. After buying it, I noticed that Hitler also escaped the author's attention.

Predictably, the book includes the sinking of the Titanic, the origin of AIDS, the loss of Britain's American colonies in the 18th century, Napoleon, Custer's last stand, Churchill's disasters in the First World War (firstly the Gallipoli / Dardanelles fiasco, then the creation of Iraq), Stalin's Great Purge, the Suez crisis in the fifties, Thalidomide (the wonder drug until it was found to have bad effects on unborn children in their mother's wombs), Chernobyl, Bhopal, Robert Maxwell, Enron and the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

The book begins with Adam and Eve, whose inclusion is debatable on a number of levels, whatever your stance on creationism versus evolution. The chapter about them is interesting but I'm not convinced that it belongs in a book like this. Apart from that and Y2K, the only other bad decision that I object to is about Gerald Ratner; it is quite amusing, and maybe that's the reason for it being here, but the consequences have been nowhere near as serious as most of the others.

I haven't heard much about Nauru over recent decades, but this Pacific island, formerly extremely attractive before being ruined by the phosphate industry, is still a mess. It certainly deserves its place here as one of the worst ever examples of environmental destruction in a small area. This otherwise impressive chapter was marred by the author's suggestion that Nauru is perhaps the most remote country in the world. A little research would have told him that Tristan Da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean holds that distinction. Although Tristan Da Cunha has sometimes been evacuated temporarily because it sits on an active volcano, the island is always re-occupied. To the north is St Helena, to the south are the Falkland Islands, to the east is Africa and to the west is South America, but all are hundreds of miles away.

Environmental destruction in a much bigger area than Nauru is featured elsewhere in this book, notably via the Bangladeshi floods caused by the destruction of Himalayan forests, and the policies of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. Another more long-running environmental disaster featured here results from the import of 24 rabbits to Australia in 1859. While the speed at which rabbits breed has become a cliché, it seems that they breed much faster in Australia than in Britain. Even though myxomatosis wiped out 95% of Australian rabbits in the 1950's, the survivors developed immunity and flourished. Other enemies of rabbits have been introduced into Australia to curb the rabbit population, but the problem remains.

Transport disasters are often caused by bad decisions, but are conspicuous by their absence here. Still, plenty has been written elsewhere about these and the author may have decided to avoid them altogether, even though some of them were serious enough to have far-reaching consequences.

The bibliography offers books that investigate some of the selected episodes in more depth. I find it ironic that one of these books is by Orlando Figes, who achieved notoriety for his manipulation of the Amazon reviewing system. That was a bad decision by him, but he can console himself that it would never be considered bad enough to feature in a sequel to this particular book.

As I said at the beginning, 50 is a very small number given the choice available and the scope of the book, but despite the inclusion of three episodes that I don't think deserve to be here (two of them highlighted in the introduction), the author has mostly made excellent choices. This is a very entertaining volume; I hope that the author is inspired to write a second volume some day.