It’s been a rather prolific year for holiday albums – the 17 titles covered in this column even omit a few 2019 releases. And there aren’t any real duds, either.

So here’s a look at this year’s selections.

Idina Menzel: “Christmas: A Season Of Love” — If one 2019 Christmas album is likely to become a big seller year after year, it’s probably “Christmas: A Season Of Love.” The very popular Menzel applies her considerable vocal talents – and plenty of enthusiasm – to big and brassy versions of 18 songs, most of which are time-tested favorites.

Keb’ Mo’: “Moonlight, Mistletoe & You” — Keb’ Mo’ has never been strictly a bluesman, so it’s no surprise this isn’t a one-trick holiday album. The title cut and “Better Every Day” have a good bit of soul, while “Christmas Is Annoying” (about how perspectives on Christmas change when one grows up) has a jazzy feel and “One More Year With You” adds some pop to an album that won’t give you the blues this Christmas season.

Los Lobos: “Llego Navidad” — The great band from East Los Angeles, no surprise, brings a good bit of Mexican flavor to its first Christmas album. And with most songs being sung in Spanish, “Llego Navidad” has the added benefit (at least for those who don’t know Spanish) of not feeling like a holiday album, meaning it plays just as well when its sunny and 90 as when snow blankets the ground.

Chicago: “Chicago Christmas” — Chicago’s third Christmas album primarily features songs penned by the band members and bit more of an R&B slant in its horn-laced sound. Some of the songs work well (“All Over The World,” “I’m Your Santa Claus” and “Bring My Baby Back,”) but a few fall flat. Even with a few duds, I find an album of originals more interesting than one of oft-covered standards.

Ne-Yo: “Another Kind of Christmas” — This refreshing effort favors original songs and has its share of creativity. The funky “Just Ain’t Christmas” is a break-up song that gets a twist because it happens on Christmas Eve. “Open Mine Tonight” has some clever wordplay in its tale of Christmas Eve romance after the kids are asleep. On the other hand, “Christmas Vibez” comes up a bit light in employing a reggae styling. But that’s one of the few flaws on this fine holiday effort.

Josh Rouse: “The Holiday Sounds of Josh Rouse” — For years, Rouse has been writing a Christmas song annually for his family. Nine of these tunes are collected here. They feature Rouse’s familiar folky sound blended with dashes of pop, rock and jazz and offer (mostly) light-hearted stories related to the season. Glad Rouse decided not to keep these songs in the family.

Dave Koz: “Gifts of the Season” — “Gifts of the Season” gives a smooth jazz makeover to this set of Christmas standards. Koz’s accomplished and tasteful saxophone work is featured, but guest vocalists, including Melissa Manchester, Jonathan Butler and Chris Walker, also provide highlights on this solid effort.

Rob Halford with Family & Friends: “Celestial” — This effort from the Judas Priest singer has some head-banging tracks, but wait, there’s more. “Away in a Manger” has considerable ambience. “Morning Star” is a folky and gentle original tune and the Irish-accented original, “Protected by the Light,” comes complete with accordion.

The Oak Ridge Boys: “Down Home Christmas” — Working with in-demand producer Dave Cobb, this latest Oak Ridge Boys holiday album favors heartfelt and humorous contemporary songs co-written by Anderson East, Jamey Johnson and Mando Saenz, among others. Cobb puts the signature vocal harmonies of the four Oaks out front, a wise approach that works well on “Down Home Christmas.”

The Imaginaries: “Hometown Christmas” — This husband-and-wife duo of Shane Henry and Maggie McClure have made minor waves as solo artists. Now paired up as the Imaginaries, they’ve made one of 2019’s best Christmas albums. “Hometown Christmas” is split evenly between familiar holiday tunes and equally strong original songs, as the duo’s songwriting chops shine on such cheery, rootsy and pop-flavored originals as “First Thing on My Christmas List,” “Christmastime Again” and “Kiss For Christmas.”

Meg & Dia: “December, Darling” — The sibling duo takes an intimate and low-key approach here, keeping instrumentation spare and their vocals out front. The effect is quite charming, if a bit simplistic. The renditions of several holiday favorites are fine, but four poppy originals highlight this outing.

A few other notables:

Mariah Carey: “Merry Christmas” Deluxe Anniversary Edition —Carey’s hugely popular holiday album gets expanded with live performances, remixes and a few bonus cuts.

Lea Michele: “Christmas in The City” — The star of “Glee,” Broadway and television dresses this set made up mostly of standards with big band/orchestral arrangements.

Danny Gokey: “The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Collection” — Several original songs elevate this holiday offering from Gokey.

Jonathan Butler: “Christmas Together” — This singer/guitarist brings some fresh twists in the arrangements to this album of (mostly) holiday standards.

Michael Lington: “A Foreign Affair Christmas” — This smooth jazz outing gets laced with some Latin, Afro-Caribbean and European touches.

Silent Winters: “Christmas Morning” — A fine, rather spare, folk-flavored and harmony spiced effort from this Canadian duo.

Alan Sculley is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.

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