When it comes to country holiday albums, it's tough to top Bella carta. The key to its magic is that Willie doesn't put on any musical airs by splashing the tunes with orchestral arrangements. He keeps things stripped down to his regular band plus producer Booker T. Jones' unmistakable organ licks, which bring a dash of soul to the country Christmas vibe. Willie's jazz-informed phrasing makes even "Jingle Bells" sound new, and the self-penned title track stands right up alongside the album's other yuletide standards.