Various Artists: M
This index presents a selected discography of the best and/or most important various artist Christmas albums and soundtracks, organized by album name. Whenever possible, the listings are accompanied by links to the album art; to a place to buy the album (usually Amazon); and to my review of the album. Admittedly, the list skews heavily towards my preference for all things that rock, roll, swing, and twang. But, nothing's perfect - especially me and my crazy list. Please send additions, submissions, corrections, criticisms, and suggestions via email.
| Title | Date | Image | Buy | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Men Christmas - music from and inspired by the AMC TV series; originally a Target exclusive |
2013 | image | buy | |
| Mad Tidings (promotional) - jazz, gospel, and rhythm & blues from Polygram family of labels |
1993 | image | buy | |
| Making Spirits Bright: A Smooth Jazz Christmas - collection from GRP Records includes track from Diana Krall |
2001 | image | buy | |
| Malt Shop Memories - holiday adjunct to Time-Life oldies series |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Mambo Santa Mambo: Christmas From The Latin Lounge - 18 holiday highlights of the 1950's Latin music craze; one of the historic Rhino compilations |
2000 | image | buy | review |
| Mark & Brian: Little Drummer Boys - music and comedy from KLOS radio team's popular show |
2000 | image | buy | |
| Mark Lamarr's Rhythm & Blues Christmas - BBC personality presents 25 vintage classics |
2004 | image | buy | |
| Mark Lamarr's Rhythm & Blues Christmas - same as above with new cover |
2010 | image | buy | |
| Martha Stewart: Home For The Holidays | 2001 | image | buy | |
| Martha Stewart: Classical Favorites For The Holidays | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Martha Stewart: Jazz For The Holidays | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Martha Stewart: Traditional Songs For The Holidays | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Martha Stewart: The Holiday Collection - boxed set containing above three discs; above five releases compiled by jailbird domestic maven |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Mary Did You Know? - subtitled '17 Inspirational Christmas Songs From Today's Top Country Artists' |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Mas! A Caribbean Christmas Party - compilation of calypso, reggae, and more from Rykodisc |
1992 | image | buy | |
| Maybe This Christmas | 2002 | image | buy | |
| Maybe This Christmas, Too? | 2003 | image | buy | |
| Maybe This Christmas Tree - above three alternative rock and pop compiled by Nettwerk Records |
2004 | image | buy | |
| Melodicrock.com Volume 6: We Will Rock Yule - compilation of power pop, AOR, and glam metal from Australian label |
2009 | image | buy | |
| The Merriest of Christmas Pops - RCA LP split between bandleaders Esquivel and Ray Martin, with vocalists Mimi Hiones and the Skip Jacks; MP3 listed separately |
1959 | image | buy | |
| Merriest Time Of The Year - 15-track MP3 collection from Capitol Records |
2009 | image | buy | |
| Merry Arizona: Desert Stars Shine At Christmas | 1995 | image | buy | |
| Merry Arizona Two: Desert Stars Shine At Christmas | 1996 | image | buy | |
| Merry Arizona 97: Desert Stars Shine At Christmas | 1997 | image | buy | |
| Merry Arizona: Gems Of Melody And Rhythm | 1998 | image | buy | |
| Merry Arizona: Happy Trails - above five feature talent from the Grand Canyon State, including a few names of national renown, e.g. Glen Campbell, Alice Cooper, Nils Lofgren; benefit for United Cerebral Palsy |
1999 | image | buy | |
| Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas | 1997 | image | buy | |
| Merry Axemas Vol. 2: More Guitars For Christmas - above two feature rock six-string heroes toasting the season |
1998 | image | buy | |
| Merry Blue Christmas - mixed roster of blues and R&B artists compiled by Fuel 2000 |
2000 | image | buy | |
| Merry Cajun Christmas Vols. 1 & 2 - Louisiana cajun, zydeco, and swamp pop from Swallow Records; combines two previous LP releases (1978 and 1987) on one CD |
1992 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas (King) - mixed bag compilation LP from legendary, Cincinatti-based independent label King Records; reissued with new artwork by Sundazed for Record Store Day 2019 |
1959 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas (King Snake) - modern blues from King Snake Records; artists include Gregg Allman |
1996 |
image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas (Les Disques Du Crépuscule) - 6-song, 12-inch promotional EP; one track would go on to become a recurring entry in their lengthy Ghosts Of Christmas Past series |
1984 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas At The Movies - digital-only collection of classic Christmas songs featured in recent soundtracks |
2008 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas At The Rock 'n' Bowl - collection of roots rockers from New Orleans, Louisiana |
2012 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas Baby (Jewel) - 12-track LP taken from the vaults of Jewel, Paula, and Ronn Records; reissued in 1985 |
1974 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas Baby (Paula) - 23-track CD, including all of above |
1991 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas Baby (Ronn) - 13-track CD, including some of above |
1996 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas Baby (Fuel 2000/Varese) - 13-track CD compiled from same source as above three; includes a variety of artists billed as Charles Brown & Friends; reissued in 2005 as Greatest Christmas Hits |
2000 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas... Baby: Intimate Christmas Music For Young Lovers - Hollywood Records HLP-501, groundbreaking album of rhythm & blues compiled from the catalogs of Swing Time, Supreme, Exclusive, and Hollywood Records; cover features attractive black woman sitting at a bar, smoking |
1956 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas... Baby: Intimate Christmas Music For Young Lovers - same catalog number and track listing as above; different cover featuring painting of similar bar with cigarettes, but no black woman; presumably released at the same time for marketing to the white audience... |
1956 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas... Baby: Six Intimate Songs For Young Lovers (EP) - Hollywood Records EP-501, containing highlights from above LP, using same generic cover art |
1956 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas Baby: Intimate Christmas Music For Lovers - reissue of above 1956 LP with same catalog number and track listing, but slightly different title and totally new cover art, this time featuring an attractive black woman standing and smoking... |
1965 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas Baby - Gusto Records K-5018X, reissue of above Hollywood LP with new cover and added tracks from the catalogs of King and Federal Records |
1978 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas Baby: Romance & Reindeer From Capitol Records - part of a loosely organized series of vintage lounge music |
1991 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas Children Everywhere - a rather English compilation combining children's novelties (Chipmunks, Pinky & Perky) with established UK stars such as Alma Cogan |
2004 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas: Chronicles Christmas Box - 3-CD box of classics from Polygram Chronicles; MP3 listed separately |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas Country Style - Starday Records artists including Red Sovine and Cowboy Copas |
1963 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas, Darling - European A&M 2-LP set taken from their catalog |
1974 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas From Coral Records - sampler LP from Decca subsidiary |
1958 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas From Motown - 12 songs both old & new from legendary Detroit label; repackaged in 1970 as Christmas Gift 'Rap |
1968 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas From Motown - 10-song CD reissue of above with new cover, different track listing |
1993 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Christmas From Stateside - digital release from storied EMI UK reissue label, now owned by Warner |
2017 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas To You - early Capitol LP featuring the label's biggest stars |
1955 | image | buy | |
| Merry Christmas From The Sonics, The Wailers, The Galaxies - compendium of three Pacific Northwest garage bands on Etiquette Records |
1965 | image | buy | review |
| Merry Friggin' Christmas (soundtrack) - comedy starring Joel McHale and Robin Williams (one of his final performances); features new and exclusive music from Ben Kweller and Rufus Wainwright |
2014 | image | buy | |
| Merry Happy Christmas - another digital compilation from Nettwerk Records |
2008 | image | buy | |
| Merry Jazzmas - contemporary Novus/RCA jazz collection featuring Marcus Roberts and Carmen McRae |
1991 | image | buy | |
| Merry Kitschmas! - eclectic collection from UK label El Records; similar to World In Winter (2000) |
2009 | image | buy | |
| A Merry Little Christmas (promotional) - 7-song adult-alternative sampler from Elektra/East-West Records; includes rare tracks from Freedy Johnston and Ween |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Merry luxmas: It's Christmas In Crampsville! - subtitled "Season's Gratings FromThe Cramps"; part of an ongoing series inspired by the record collection of Cramps singer Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy |
2019 | image | buy | |
| Merry Merry Doo Wop Christmas - latter-day doo wop compiled by DCC Compact Classics |
1996 | image | buy | |
| Merry Mixmas: Christmas Classics Remixed - modern mixmasters cut up the Capitol Christmas classics |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Merry 1940's Christmas - vintage pop & jazz tunes from the Columbia Records archives |
2004 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 1 | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 2 | 2006 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 3 | 2008 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 4 | 2009 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 5 | 2010 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 6 | 2011 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 7 | 2012 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 8 | 2013 | image | buy | |
| Merry "Rock Against Bullshit" Christmas Vol. 9 - above nine compiled by Australian DIY indie rock label |
2014 | image | buy | |
| Merry Soulful Christmas - 1980's rhythm & blues culled from the MCA/Universal catalog |
1996 | image | buy | |
| Merry X-mas Dammit from the Double Down Saloon - famed Las Vegas dive bar compiles garage punk |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Metal Christmas - featuring a slew of mid-level British rock stars including Steve Overland (Wildlife, FM), Denny Laine (Moody Blues, Wings), Kim McAuliffe (Girlschool), John Sloman (Uriah Heep), Fast Eddie Clark (Motorhead, Fastway), and Paul Di'Anno (Iron Maiden); reissued as Rock Ya Christmas (1999) |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Midnight Christmas Mess | 1984 | image | buy | review |
| Midnight Christmas Mess Again!! | 1986 | image | buy | review |
| Midnight Christmas Mess Part III - above three released on label run by renowned NYC record store |
1987 | image | buy | review |
| Millenia Collection: American Christmas Classics | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Millenia Collection: Best-Loved Christmas Carols | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Millenia Collection: Children's Christmas Classics | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Millenia Collection: Sacred Christmas Classics - above four are book and CD sets written & compiled by Ronald M. Clancy, part of a planned ten-volume series (learn more) |
2008 | image | buy | |
| Million Dollars Worth Of Christmas Doo-Wop - part of extensive doo wop series on underground label Live Gold |
1995 | image | buy | |
| Mint 400 Records Presents A Very Merry Christmas Compilation - MP3 download from New Jersey-based indie; not to be confused with Chicago-based Minty Fresh Records; reissued in 2016 minus two tracks |
2012 | image | buy | |
| Miracle On 34th Street (soundtrack) - John Hughes-produced remake of the 1947 Christmas classic; stars include Richard Attenborough and Elizabeth Perkins; soundtrack includes new recordings by Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, and Aretha Franklin plus classics by Elvis Presley and Ray Charles |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Mistletoe and Memories - RCA country collection mixing old and new recordings |
1988 | image | buy | |
| Mistletoe Lounge - jazz, hip hop, electronica & lounge fusion; companion to Holiday Remixed (2003) |
2006 | image | buy | |
| Mojazz Christmas Album | 1994 | image | buy | review |
| Mojazz Christmas Vol. 2 - above two feature smooth jazz from Motown subsidiary label |
1996 | image | buy | review |
| Mojo Blue Christmas | 2004 | image | buy | |
| Mojo's Festive Fifteen - above two compile 15 exclusive, rare, or classic tracks; given away with issues of the storied English music magazine |
2010 | image | buy | |
| Monster Ballads Xmas - mullet-friendly metal from Razor & Tie |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Most Fabulous Christmas Album Ever! - pop & big band from the RCA Victor catalog; companion to The Most Fabulous Classical Christmas Album Ever! (2000) |
1999 | image | buy | |
| Mother & Child: A Christmas Celebration of Motherhood - female singers pay tribute to the season of birth |
1995 | image | buy | |
| Mother Of All Flagpole Christmas Albums - one of a series of albums released by Athens, GA, music magazine |
1992 | image | buy | |
| Motown Christmas - landmark 2-LP, 24-track compilation from legendary Detroit label; reissued on LP in 1982; first reissued on CD in 1992; remastered CD with bonus track issued in 1999 |
1973 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Christmas Vol. 2 - similar to earlier compilation, Christmas In The City (1993) |
2001 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Christmas - new UK 2-CD, 36-track imported collection |
2005 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Christmas - Spectrum/Universal 2-CD, 33-track "golden decade" collection |
2008 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Christmas - modern compilation bearing little resemblance to 1973 classic |
2014 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Christmas Album - UK 16-track LP, notable mostly for its faintly racist cover art... |
1976 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Christmas Album: Christmas Cheers From Motown - latter-day recordings from Motown stars both old and new |
1989 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Christmas Carol - 23-song compilation including previously unavailable track |
1995 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Christmas: Playlist Your Way - 14 track collection in eco-friendly packaging |
2008 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Gospel Christmas - modern Christian music from Detroit's legendary label |
2018 | image | buy | review |
| Motown Holiday (EP) - contemporary artists jump-start a Motown tradition |
2020 | image | buy | review |
| Mr. Santa's Boogie (Santa's Secret) - Savoy LP 1157 compiling vintage jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues 1944-1957; reissued as Christmas Blues: The Savoy Jazz Christmas Album (Savoy 241, 1994) and expanded as Savoy Christmas Blues (Savoy 17271, 2003) |
1985 | image | buy | review |
| MTV TRL Christmas - bands featured on 'Total Request Live' hosted by Carson Daly |
2001 | image | buy | |
| Muppets & John Denver: A Christmas Together - soundtrack to television special |
1979 | image | buy | review |
| Muppet Christmas Carol - adaptation of Dickens classic starring Jim Henson's puppet troupe |
1992 | image | buy | |
| Muppet Christmas Carol (Special Edition) - reissued in celebration of the Muppets' 50th anniversary |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Muppet Christmas Carol - vinyl reissue with new cover art by Light In The Attic Records |
2021 | image | buy | |
| Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas - new recordings, sans Jim Henson and Frank Oz; expanded edition with new artwork issued 2011 |
2006 | image | buy | |
| Music Of Love For Tomorrow's Children - Japanese benefit album for UNICEF featuring mostly Christmas music; produced by Narada Michael Walden; artists include Sting, Stevie Wonder, and En Vogue |
2000 | image | buy | |
| Music To Listen To When You Drive Home For Christmas - eclectic, non-traditional holiday music from German label Resonanz Schallplatten |
2006 | image | buy | |
| Music To Listen To When You Drive Home For Christmas 2 - similar to above, but even more obscure; last time I looked, listed for sale only in England and Germany... |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Music To Stuff Any Stocking: 1996 Rhino Christmas Sampler(promotional) - 25 tracks taken from the label's varied, voluminous catalog |
1996 | image | buy | |
| Must Be Santa: The Rounder Christmas Album - eclectic compilation from catalog of prominent independent label |
1995 | image | buy | |
| Mutated Christmas - industrial & electronic music presented by Corporal Blossom |
2001 | image | buy | |
| My Christmas Album - neo-soul collection from MCA Records |
1999 | image | buy | |
| My Favorite Gifts - Americana from North Carolina-based Ramseur Records; proceeds benefit the Vickie S. Honeycutt Foundation; also available as MP3 download |
2011 | image | buy | |
| My Kind of Christmas - imported CD, 20 tracks of classic pop |
2010 | image | buy | |
| My Pal God Holiday Record | 1998 | image | buy | |
| My Pal God Holiday Record 2 - above two released by Chicago-cum-Jersey-based indie label |
2000 | image | buy | |
| My Pop Christmas - curious RCA compilation pairing Elvis Presley with Britney Spears... |
2011 | image | buy |