The unchallenged king of country music, George Strait returns with a nice gift called Classic Christmas. Strait lends his skills to a multitude of traditional holiday standards that will be a great thing to play during this time of the year. He places his spin on “Joy To The World” in his teardropped tenor alongside simple strumming, beautiful melodies, fiddle and drums catching your heart with warmth. “We Three Kings” kept its originality with hints of Strait’s smooth style making it somber and sweet at the same time.

King George puts his stamp on “Silent Night” with its sleepy refrains and calming mood set to high hats, fiddle and light guitar with a embracing baritone chiming out. He puts “Jingle Bells” to a honky tonk stomp with tons of harmony and countrified manner; yet singing it in its traditional way. Another great contemporary song was sung gleefully as “Up On The House Top” was shared by George and the gang with bright bells, rich bass and tenors strung out and twangy rhythms getting you to pound your feet and clap loudly.

Strait brings “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” into a more harmonious mode; but doesn’t shy away from its standard tempo with mandolin, banjo, fiddle and guitars wailing away with a mighty vocal sending out cheer. “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” was turned into a Southern gospel hymnal worthy of God’s approval with ambient strings and great accompaniments to fill you full of joy and praise. This disc ends with “Deck The Halls” and is set in an old-fashioned country method as this one makes us all want to sing with the band. George Strait did it again with his list of Christmas presents set to song.