This is a look at the Bob Dylan ‘Christmas In the Heart’ album, the new release from the legend, of which all proceeds go to charity. Yes, it is an actual Bob Dylan Christmas record, including traditional Christmas songs done by the rasping legend!

Nearly every legendary musician in the last 100 plus years has recorded Christmas songs, from the Jazz great Louis Armstrong to the Pop phenom Frank Sinatra, so why not Bob Dylan? The man is the greatest songwriter of all time!’

Who does not know a song that Bob Dylan has written? Actually there are some that are not enlightened in this regard. Many people, outside the enormous circle of thriving Bob Dylan fans, do not even know that such great songs like, ‘All Along the Watchtower’ and ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ are Bob Dylan tunes, that others have made a living singing.

There is a growing resurgence in next generation fans that currently crowd the artist’s concerts, and they compete with aging musical ears that make up the other half of the crowd. The new Bob Dylan albums emerge carrying the weight of one of the most creative minds of the 20th, and now 21st, centuries. The youth are catching on to the classic ‘Modern Times,’ and then they survey the decades old achievement that is ‘Blood On the Tracks.’

Well, the legend can play Christmas songs too. Tune in. This record is an enjoyable one: from the most Dylan-esque title ‘The Christmas Blues,’ where ‘Santa only brought me the blues,’ to the raspy Louis Armstrong styled ‘Winter Wonderland.’ The version of ‘First Noel’ is reminiscent of Bob Dylan playing with the Band on ‘The Basement Tapes’ recordings, and though it might not be a gem of a new song, like ‘This Wheel’s On Fire’ was in the 1970’s, the take is full of beaming and enjoyable sound.

Listening to Bob Dylan’s take on ‘The Christmas Song’ moves one to a state of warmth; it is as though a roaring fire is cradling a man and woman,as they curl up to drink spiked eggnog. Let the snow melt in myriad flakes of dissolving dew outside, and let ‘Christmas in the Heart’ melt the heart inside.

The new album from Bob Dylan is a solid rendition of classic Christmas music. Happy Holidays!

Grade: B+