Inspired by Dr. J’s 12 Days of Christmas Music, Confucius says: here’s twelve albums of Christmas music from the past dozen or so years that are worth your while (and money). Of course, this will only bring us to the twenty-fourth, so you’re on your own for the actual Twelve Days of Christmas unless we get any more bright ideas. That said, we figure you’ll probably want to be left alone to deal with all the treed fowl, leaping lords, etc., that tend to fill up that period.

The Brian Setzer Orchestra — Boogie Woogie Christmas

As Confucius says about the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Christmas album: “You like that early-’90s swing thing? You like Christmas music? Ok, here you go.”

The BSO is more big-bandy than BBVD and features Setzer’s guitar and rougher, stronger vocals prominently. Confucius tends to prefer BBVD, but YMMV, as the kids say.

Give ’em props for breadth, though, they do a little “Nutcracker Suite.” Good mix of religious and secular tunes. No hint of irony in the former. The duet with Ann-Margaret on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is well-done.

Confucius, Œc. Vol.

Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu.