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sun comes up, even if your best friend S P O T G H T for the remainder of the drowsy day will SINGLES be a coffee cup. The production is taut and vibrant, while Johnson's personali- Edited by Chuck Taylor 11M McGRAW The Cowboy in Me ty- packed vocals infuse the whole affair (3:29) with an appealing energy. It's hard not PRODUCERS: Byron Gallimore,Tim to listen to the song a few times with- POP McGraw, and James Stroud out singing along on the chorus. Looks WRITERS: C. Wiseman, J. Steele, and like the girl has another winner. -DEP JAMIROQUAI You Give Me Something A. Anderson (3:20) PUBLISHERS: BMG Songs /Mrs. PRODUCERS: 1K and the Pope Lumpkin's Poodle, ASCAP, Songs of CHRISTMAS WRITERS: 1K and Smith Windswept /Stairway to Bittner's PUBLISHER: EMI Musk, ASCAP Music /Gottahaveable Music, BMI WILLA FORD Gimme Gimme Gimme Epic 54829 (CD promo) Curb 1643 (CD promo) (3:42) Why Jamiroquai has never been able Recently named the Country Music Atlantic 300712 (CD promo) to repeat the success of its 1997 Assn.'s (CMA) entertainer of the year, breakthrough, Traveling Without Tim McGraw has built a career as one CRACKER Merry Christmas Emily (3:50) Moving, is a profound mystery. of the genre's royalty on the strength Backporch Records 70876 (CD promo) Overseas, JK and company continue JAMES TAYLOR Have Yourself a of consistently great songs. This is BUSH (4:18) to pump out sunny, disco -hued hits Merry Little Christmas (3:26) PRODUCERS: and Bush PATSY "Kid "Santa Claus/Happy Holly -Day that defy time and trends. Could it PRODUCERS: RussTitelman and WRITER: G. Rossdale (3:21) be U.S. radio's enduring reluctance James Taylor PUBLISHER: 2001 Mad Dog Winston Roperry 2255 (cassette single) to touch anything that dares an WRITERS: R. Blane and H. Martin Music, BMI Contact: 212 -371 -4142 association with a mirror ball? In PUBLISHER: not listed Atlantic 300726 (CD promo) any case, "You Cive Me Something" Columbia Records (CD promo) "," the PERRY PAYNE Santa Gaus Won't Get Lit is a pure joy ride, from the moment When "Have Yourself a Merry Little first single from Bush's Atlantic Up (At the Trailer Park ThisYear) (3:29) its gently throbbing rhythm fades in Christmas" was first heard, the sim- Records bow, Golden State, hung Hometown Productions 214 (CD single) until the final notes of the flypaper ple, sweet song was part of the 1944 out in top 10 territory on both the Contact: 212- 795 -7278 chorus. This isn't anything too flick Meet Me in St. Louis, starring Mainstream Rock Tracks and Mod- heavy, but the song is substantial Judy Garland. Her character sings it ern Rock Tracks charts -certainly enough to show that these guys for her melancholy little sister, who a formidable showing -but not (4:06) have something that goes above and is upset that the family will be sepa- parallel to the powerhouse per- Arista 5061 (CD promo) beyond much of the guitar- driven rated for the holidays. "Its message: formance of previous efforts from patter out there today. As main- Just get through the hard times at this A -list outfit. No need to lose TONI BRAXTON FEATURING stream radio continues its trek fur- hand, and there'll be better days faith, though, as this is a muscu- Christmas in Jamaica (remix) (3:39) ther and further from the pop realm, ahead," says 1998 Billboard Century lar follow -up from Arista 5066 (CD promo) it looks as if you'll have to discover Award honoree James Taylor, who yet another. It has a title that might and company. "Headful of Ghosts" this little gem on your own. It recorded the song while in the stu- lead you to expect one of those run - delivers the kind of head- throb- DESTINY'S CHILD 8 Days of Christmas comes from A Funk Odyssey. -CT dio working on his upcoming of- the -mill, even out -of-touch rodeo bing rock that's moving records (3:29) album. "For some reason," he adds, tunes. But the lyric is actually a into high radio rotation these Columbia 54873 (CD promo) KIRSTIN CANDY Whisper (3:58) "it seemed important to get it out thoughtful treatise on human days, and it's the right fit for the PRODUCER: Don Smith there now. Sit back and imagine nature -a tender-but -tough ode to London -bred band. Production JIMMY BUFFETT Christmas Island (2:55) WRITER: K. Candy snow falling on Broadway." This - the maverick spirit that makes us all from Dave Sardy (, Margaritaville /MCA 1019 (CD promo) PUBLISHER: Candyd Music, BMI Taylor's first release since 1997's push the envelope, especially with Dandy Warhols) keeps the guitar Escalator Records (CD promo) Hourglass, which won the singer/ the ones we love. McGraw delivers volume on high, while the cho- BUY THIS B4 CHRISTMAS At first listen, Kirstin Candy is a bit of a Grammy for best pop on the introspective lyric, turning his rus-somewhat strangely -is X -Mas Megamix (Radio Edit) (3:55) an anomoly. Her vocal style is breathy album- showcases the qualities confession of flaws into a tribute to sung in a near monotone, giving Navigate Records (CD promo) with a delicate quality that denotes the that have kept Taylor a welcome humanity's indomitable spirit as evi- the impression of great anxiety utmost of hypersensitive vulnerability. presence all these years: uncommon denced in the closing lines: "We ride as Rossdale sings, "Where is my SHANIA TWAIN God Bless the Child (3:48) And yet everything about Candy, the warmth amid music that is as com- and never worry about the fall/I head, where are my bones /Can you Mercury 137 (CD promo) woman, tells us that she is remarkably fortable as a blanket in the winter. guess that's just the cowboy in us save me from myself?" This is a driven, having pushed her musical His rendition is spare and jazzy, all." McGraw performed a sterling focused effort that should garner LORRIE MORGAN My Favorite Things wares from her native Santa Barbara, wrapped with just a snare, piano, version of the song on the CMA an enthused nod from those that (3:44) Calif., to clubs and pubs far and near. guitar, and bass -and that one -of -a- Awards, leaving no doubt that this is supported "People," although BNA 64687 (CD cut) Her brand of piano- rooted pop perhaps kind voice. Yes, it's beginning to the latest in his long list of hits. "The there remain other nuggets on harkens the earlier musings of Tori sound a lot like Christmas. And Cowboy in Me" comes from his cur- Golden State that offer even LONESTAR I'll Be Home for Christmas Amos or Toni Childs, but she main- here's our first gift. Fans can down- rent Set This Circus Down, which is more promise, including album (3:30) tains a wink in the deeper meaning load it at windowmedia.com. -CT platinum and rising.-DEP opener "Solutions. " -CT BNA 64688 (CD cut) behind her lyrics that lends a strength to words that at first seem to be a sim- K -CI &1010 In Love at Christmas ple call for understanding. "Whisper" worked at AC stations, and though it est rap ensemble to show its softer side, COUNTRY (no timing listed) is gaining ground at triple -A outlets contains some pretty overt religious with the first single from its forthcom- So So Def /Columbia 67755 (CD cut) with its comfortable, plodding beat, references, the mere familiarity of his ing Infamy set, . The duo, adhesive chorus, and message that a vocals could ring the bell for lighter - and , go out on a limb CAROLYN DAWN JOHNSON I Don't FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE I Want an Alien whisper is "a secret that you're not leaning stations that favor their gold with this one, teaming with Bad Boy Want You to Go (3:44) for Christmas (2:18) really keeping to yourself." From the catalog. This one goes down light and quartet 112 (an unusual pairing, to say PRODUCERS: Paul Worley and Carolyn Atlantic 8379 (cassette single) sound of it, this former track star is easy, like wine and candlelight by a the least) for this mellow collaboration. Dawn Johnson off and running. -CT warm fire. It could be the season for While the subject matter is uncharted WRITERS: C.D. Johnson and T. Polk GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS When You this nice moment. -CT territory-the song demonstrates a cer- PUBLISHERS: EMI Full Keel Music /Blake- Love Someone (It's Christmas Everyday) tain tenderness, streetwise- style -for more Avenue Music /April Blue Music/ (no timing listed) AC the group, they do surprisingly well Songs of Hamstein Cumberland /Songs of MCA 11490 (CD cut) RAP expressing emotion while still main- Otis Barker, ASCAP MICHAEL McDONALD To Make taining their street credibility. It's that Arista 690972 (CD promo) HENRY ROLLINS 'Twas the Night a Miracle (4:14) FEATURING 112 Hey Luv balance that makes the track a real Canadian chanteuse Carolyn Dawn Before Christmas (4:06) PRODUCERS: Michael McDonald and (Anything) (3:56) step forward. Similar offerings like Johnson has become one of this year's Columbia 67376 (CD cut) Marc Harris PRODUCER: Havoc Ghostface Killah's "Never Be the Same breakthrough artists in the country for- WRITERS: M. McDonald and M. Harris WRITERS: A. Johnson, K. Muchita, D. Jones, Again" and Ja Rule's "Always on Time" mat. Coming off her top five hit single, PUBLISHERS: Genevieve Music /Bri -Bri Q. Parker, M. Keith, and M. Scandrick have proven successful at mainstream "Complicated," Johnson delivers yet Music /EMI Blackwood, ASCAP/BMI PUBLISHERS: Music adminis- R &B radio, so this single definitely has another radio -ready tune that will no FOR THE RECORD MCA Nashville 02177 (CD promo) tered by Careers BMG Music, BMI; Juvenile a shot at heavy rotation. That said, doubt solidify her growing reputation In the Nov. 17 issue, a review of the Everything you remember about the Hell Music administered by BMG Songs /Da "Hey Luv" is nothing like anything else as one of country's most promising new new Trisha Yearwood single featuring suave, husky timbre of Michael Twelve Music /Justin Combs Publishing on Infamy. For something a little hard- singer /. (Her credits include Don Henley referred to Henley as a "for- McDonald's voice rings true in this administered by EMI -April Music, ASCAP er, listeners should check out the act's co- writing the recent Jo Dee Messina mer Eagle." The Eagles have not dis- jazzy, soul- drenched number from Loud 85889 (CD track) other current single, "Burn" (with hit "Downtime. ") "I Don't Want You to banded, and at no point has Henley his MCA Nashville project A Christ- Thugs need love, too. At least, that's the Noyd & Vita), which is riding Hot Rap Go" is an uptempo number celebrating been a former member of the band. mas Album. This single is being theory as Mobb Deep becomes the lat- Singles at No. 23. -RH the desire to be with someone until the

Rashaun Hall, Deborah Evans Price, Chuck Taylor. SPOTLIGH : Releases deemed by the review editors to deserve special attention on the basis of musical merit and/or Billboard chart potential. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Exceptional releases by new or upcoming artists. . CONTRIBUTORS. PICKS (1.): New releases predicted to hit the top hat of the chart in the corresponding format. CRITICS' CHOICES ( *): New releases, regardless of chart potential, highly recommended because of their musical merit. Send review copies to Chudslaylor (Billboard, 770 Broadway, 6th floor. NewYork, N.Y. 10003) or to the writers in the appropriate bureaus.

BILLBOARD DECEMBER 8, 2001 www.billboard.com 55 www.americanradiohistory.com