This time of year, especially today, Christmas Eve, people around the world are inundated with Christmas carols. I've been spared it for the most part as I'm trapped here in Sedona and haven't been out to the mall. I'm also somewhat ambivalent being a Red Sea pedestrian, and all. However I do enjoy the occasional piece of Xmas music.

If you go down to your local record shop or pop onto Amazon, you'll find that almost every artist of note has produced a Christmas album, some somewhat amusing like Michael Bolton, others classic like Bing Crosby and a few absolutely brilliant like Nat King Cole. But for my money, it doesn't get any better than Ray Charles.

So this Christmas Eve, I will be spending part of the time downloading classic Christmas hits from Mr. Charles and others, including James Brown, Sinatra, Presley, maybe even Mathis (and anyone else that comes to mind).

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas!