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CD review: Various artists 'Songs for the Season'

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HOLIDAY

Several Oklahoma musicians playfully toy with Christmas classics on the free compilation “Songs for the Season.” Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. partnered with Oklahoma Chevy Team Dealers to create the promotional album. CD giveaways are taking place at Downtown in December events or at www.facebook.com/chevymusicokc, and the tracks can be heard at www.songsfortheseason.com. Produced by Edmond musician Matt Stansberry, the collection takes greater musical risks than most new Christmas albums. For instance, Brine Webb's rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear” may initially sound like the beloved Bing Crosby version, but it's a safe bet Bing never crooned “said the lizard boy to the bearded girl, do you know what I know.” Dustin Prinz opts to cover Dave Matthews' lesser-known 1995 “Christmas Song.” Daniel Walcher turns “White Christmas” into a jangly folk song, Jamie Bramble gives “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” an even more thoughtful reading than usual, and Denver Duncan lightheartedly jazzes up the rhythm of “I'll Be Home for Christmas.” O Fidelis provides the highlight of the collection with its chipper version of “Baby, It's Cold Outside.” John Calvin contributes the only new song on the 12-track album with his lovely heartbreaker “You Won't Be Home This Year.”

— Brandy McDonnell

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