Audio Beaverhausen: Kylie at Christmas

Kylie Minogue's new Christmas album is a most pleasant piece of pop for the holidays. Ms M is certainly doing everything to promote it across The Pond, including get an enthusiastic kiss and a hug from Prince Harry at the Royal Variety performance, catching his eye while wearing a snow-white, feathery headdress that any drag queen would envy.

With sweeping orchestration, the album is as tastefully delectable as a candy cane. Although I'm no fan of the trend toward duets with dead celebrities, Kylie's "Santa Clause Is Coming to Town" goes down easily enough.

I much prefer her cover of The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping" with Iggy Pop or her duet with Sister Danii. "Only You" with James Corden is pleasant all right though seems a bit off-topic.

Kylie's interpretation of Chrissie Hynde's "2,000 Miles" is just plain wonderful as is her covering holiday classics like "Winter Wonderland" and Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." There are numerous beautiful ballads sprinkled throughout. "Santa Baby," a single released previously only on holiday compilations, is a bit of a pop classic by now.

Kylie at Christmas is recommended by Buddy B, who's giving it two hands in the air. Available at Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble. The deluxe edition, which I bought, contains a bonus video.