VOA常速英语2007年-Country Music Artists Release Holiday Compilati

More than a dozen Country holiday albums were released this season. Top sellers include new collections by Toby Keith, Taylor Swift and Diamond Rio. VOA's Mary Morningstar reports on a compilation¹ that's also a favorite this year, "Hear Something Country - Christmas 2007."

"Let It Be Christmas" by Alan Jackson is one of 14 holiday songs on Hear Something Country - Christmas 2007.  Alan wrote "Let It Be Christmas" for his 2002 album of the same name. Also featured on Hear Something Country - Christmas 2007 are seven newly-recorded tracks. They include Carrie Underwood's version of "Do You Hear What I Hear," which was originally sung by the Harry² Simeone Chorale in 1962; Kellie Pickler's jazzy rendition of Eartha Kitt's 1953 hit "Santa Baby;" and, Canadian Country singer Terri Clark's bluegrass version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

Among the album's previously-released tracks are Brad Paisley's personalized version of "Winter Wonderland," Kenny Chesney's reggae-inspired cover of "Jingle³ Bells" and Montgomery Gentry's 2001 rendition of Robert Earl Keen's tongue-in-cheek song about a Texas-style Christmas, "Merry Christmas From The Family."

Only one song on Hear Something Country - Christmas 2007 was released before 1999. The late Johnny Cash first recorded his version of "Silent Night" for his 1963 album, Christmas Spirit.

Two songs on Hear Something Country - Christmas 2007 are currently climbing Billboard's Country Singles chart - "Santa Baby" by 2006 American Idol⁴ finalist Kellie Pickler" and "Do You Hear What I Hear" by 2005 American Idol winner Carrie Underwood.