LeAnn Rimes has been a staple in music for over three decades, releasing her debut album when she was only nine years old. In 1996 she enjoyed a breakthrough with ‘Blue’ and international success followed in 1997 when she released ‘How Do I Live’. In 2000 her song “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” from the film ‘Coyote Ugly’ was a huge success, and that soundtrack has gone on to be one of her defining moments. With 17 studio albums under her belt and a lead role in Ryan Murphy’s latest ‘9-1-1’ spin-off ‘9-1-1: Nashville’, Rimes has established herself as an all-round entertainer. Her latest release, ‘Greatest Hits Christmas’ celebrates her holiday recordings from across her career and adds a handful of new songs into the mix.
The album opens and closes with “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (although the closing version is a dance remix by Dave Aude, that honestly the project didn’t need). Rimes’ distinctive vocals ring oud and clear over the uptempo instrumentation, and she delivers an energetic version of the holiday standard. ‘River’, a cover of the Joni Mitchell classic, showcases Rimes’ voice with a stripped-back production and she sounds stunning. The song may have been covered by everyone and their mother, but Rimes’ version is one of the best I’ve heard.
Rimes’ duets with Aloe Blacc and Gavin DeGraw are included here. The soulful ‘That Spirit of Christmas’ with Blacc is an early highlight, while ‘Celebrate Me Home’ with Gavin DeGraw is a laidback song that makes you want to lie in front of the fire on a cold night. Welsh actor and singer Luke Evans lends his voice to new track “There’s No Such Thing”, from Rimes’ upcoming holiday musical project ’32 Hooves’. It’s a very theatrical song that is sure to play well on stage.
Elsewhere ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’, no not the Mariah one, is a lovely jazz-tinged festive classic, ‘Today is Christmas’ (Holiday Theme for NBC’s ‘Today’) is a solid Christmas tune, and ‘I Still Believe in Santa Claus (North Pole Mix)’ allows Rimes to showcase that power we all know she has in her voice. ‘Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart’, Rimes’ trademark festive song, is one of the highlights on the record and there’s really no matching the beauty of her voice.
Aside from a dodgy dance medley of Christmas Carols during the second half of the album, ‘Greatest Hits Christmas’ is a solid listen for the festive season. Rimes is a singer that often doesn’t get the credit she deserves, and she’s got a varied catalogue that deserves more attention than it often gets. Her fans will love having her Christmas songs all in one place, and this collection should be played a lot over the holiday season.
Track list: 1. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree 2. You and Me and Christmas 3. River 4. All I Want For Christmas Is You (Single Mix) 5. That Spirit of Christmas (with Aloe Blacc) 6. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas 7. Little Drummer Boy 8. Happy Xmas (War is Over) 9. I Still Believe in Santa Claus (North Pole Mix) 10. Today is Christmas (Holiday Theme for NBC’s ‘Today’) 11. Celebrate Me Home (with Gavin DeGraw) 12. Joy: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Hark the Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard on High (The Jolly Remix) 13. Carol of the Bells (Rung Out Remix) 14. Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart 15. There’s No Such Thing (with Luke Evans) 16. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (Dave Aude Remix) Record label: Curb Records Release date: 7th November 2025 Buy ‘Greatest Hits Christmas’ now
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