Since it was actually snowing (!) the day it came in the mail, I thought it only appropriate to offer a few remarks about the Bob Dylan holiday album, Christmas in the Heart. Actually, consider it a warning.

No, not that it’s bad – in fact, I think I may (dare I say?) love it, like a child loves a new toy or Santa loves figgy pudding. But I feel an obligation to warn you that if you don’t like the throaty croak of Dylan’s last few albums, this one may leave you scratching your head even more than this year’s Together Through Life. OK, much more.

Personally, I’m on the record as being a proponent of Dylan’s singing; his voice may be unconventional (OK, shot), but what he does with that battered old instrument never ceases to amaze me – think Clapton playing the hell out of an ancient, out-of-tune Stratocaster. And his recent material benefits from the weathered feel of his vocals, much more than his old nasally whine adapted to his less-than-well-remembered ’80s work.

But does Bob’s gravelly voice go with Christmas? Yes, there are times when it sounds patently, hilariously ridiculous, but for the most part, to me, it seems heartfelt, nostalgic, mournful, hopeful and funny – actually, sometimes all at once. Unlike some other holiday albums from singers with more traditional (read: good) voices, he seems to really be feeling “The Christmas Blues,” not just showing off his pipes. (more…)