Nightmares before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and not a creature was stirring, except perhaps Rod Stewart, or Olivia Newton-John. And Ringo Starr, and even Toby Keith.

It is a time honored tradition that every year brings new albums of Yuletide joy from your favorite artist or washed-up musician. To honor these albums, we look at the delightful.. and the not so delightful.

And best of all, these albums are available for checkout from your Pima County Public Library.

For 2012, you can ring in Christmas with a duo familiar to each other: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John have re-teamed for "This Christmas." Fans of this duo will of course remember them from the movie soundtrack of Grease and Travolta from dozens of movies you probably can't remember the name of.

Rod Stewart and Christmas. Why hasn't anyone else thought of it? Whether you want it or not, Rod brings in a new album of holly-jolly festive fun with "Merry Christmas, Baby." Rod is rocking out with the likes of Mary J. Blige and Michael Buble. It's your chance to hear Rod belt out "Red-Suited Super Man" and "Let It Snow." It's a dream come true.

Ever wanted your Christmas album to include Justin Bieber, Usher, Boyz II Men, and Busta Rhymes? You can have it all in one special gift! The Justin Bieber album "Under the Mistletoe" is just your ticket. If it's not for you, perhaps a very special teenager in the family can enjoy "Home This Christmas" with special guests the Band Perry and other Bieber-riffic tunes. It is a Bieber Christmas to remember.

If you don't remember who Clay Aiken is, don't worry: few others do, either. Clay scored big years ago on the hit TV show "American Idol" and has his very own Christmas album. "Merry Christmas With Love" is serving up singles like Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride and some medleys as Clay and special guests make this Christmas a truly special one. Yay!

Nothing says Christmas like beaches and girls, thus the Beach Boys added to the mix with "Beach Boys' Christmas Album." What more can you say about this album? If you like the Beach Boys and Christmas music, this is the album you have been seeking.

And if you are looking for some of your favorite bands/musicians, we have albums of Christmas from the following:

Barenaked Ladies "Barenaked for the Holidays."
Elvis Presley "Blue Christmas."
Phil Spector "A Christmas Gift For You."
Bob Dylan "Christmas in the Heart."
Jimmy Buffet "Christmas Island."
Toby Keith "A Classic Christmas."
Susan Boyle "The Gift."
The Muppets "A Green and Red Christmas."
Kenny G "Holiday Collection."
Ringo Starr "I Wanna Be Santa Claus."
Sting "If On a Winter's Night."
Barry Manillow "In the Swing of Christmas."
Faith Hill "Joy to the World.
Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton "Kenny & Dolly."
Mariah Carey "Merry Christmas II You"
Patti Labelle "Miss Patti's Christmas."
Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots) "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year."
Christina Aguilera "My Kind of Christmas."
Yo-Yo Ma "Songs of Peace and Joy."
98 Degrees "This Christmas."
Martina McBride "White Christmas."
Yolanda Adams "What a Wonderful Time."

Happy Holidays to all, and to all, goodnight.