Recordings are drawn from winter concerts that saxophonist Winter has presided over annually since 1980 at New York’s Cathedral of St. and well beyond representing more than a dozen countries and cultures. “Everybody Under the Sun” lives up to its title with featured performances in two CDs by soloists from the U.S. Paul Winter Consort & Friends, “Everybody Under the Sun: Voices of Solstice (Volume One: The Singers)” (Living Music) Easily the most inclusive and expansive of this year’s holiday crop. Her irreverent and sharply witty album - with nine smart originals and a crisp version of “Blue Christmas” - is a welcome antidote to the overwhelming sentimentality of the vast majority of Christmas music. Tara Thompson, “Hillbilly Christmas” (TDT Enterprises) The Tennessee native is related biologically to Loretta Lynn and musically to country upstarts such as Miranda Lambert, Margo Price, Kacey Musgraves and even the great John Prine.

This one, featuring tracks by Kenny Neal, Charles Brown, Chuck Leavell, Paul Oscher, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas, among others, succeeds on occasion, the best example being Earl King’s extended swaggering romp “Santa, Don’t Let Me Down.” Various Artists, “Blues Christmas” (Putumayo) It’s hard in 2019 for a session of holiday blues performances to rise above earnest and predictable. The sincerity of his original songs carries over into smart covers of deep holiday tracks including Koko Taylor’s “Merry, Merry Christmas” and Charley Jordan’s “Santa Claus Blues.” He’s cowritten half the songs, enhancing the feeling that he’s truly invested in adding to, rather than merely rehashing, the seasonal music canon. Keb’ Mo’, “Moonlight, Mistletoe & You” (Concord) The L.A.-born, Nashville-based blues musician brings a refreshingly low-key spirit to his holiday outing. The McCrary Sisters, “A Very McCrary Christmas” (Rounder) This Nashville-based sibling gospel quartet emphasizes repertoire out of the African American church tradition, investing considerable verve to such touchstone numbers as “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Children Go Where I Send Thee” and “No Room at the Inn,” along with European-rooted fare including “O Holy Night,” “What Child Is This?” and “Silent Night.” Americana musicians with whom they often cross paths drop in on various tracks, among them Alison Krauss, Buddy Miller, Jerry Douglas and Keb’ Mo’ as well as celebrated gospel singer Shirley Caesar.

The best holiday albums non religious