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.

Chanticleer — Christmas with Chanticleer (Featuring Dawn Upshaw)

For the pious and musically inclined, this is the one on the Volgi’s list to snatch up. Outstanding vocal work by the San Francisco-based male ensemble covering carols from the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, right in the group’s wheelhouse.

Outstanding.

“Today the Virgin” blows Confucius away every time.

Confucius, Œc. Vol.

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