First of all, I have been a Dylan fan since I was 13 years old, and I enjoy all of his music, throughout his various identity switches. But I have to say just from previewing the album, that this music is awful. Just really really awful.

I think "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is probably the strongest track, simply because it sounds like everyone involved is drunk, and that's kind of funny, especially in such a sappy tearjerker song. But when your best song is only good because it's so-bad-it's-good, that's a bad thing. 

Most of the rest of the songs are jaunty and irritating, and there is a sharp contrast between the smooth, jazzy music, the chorus of background singers, and Dylan's gravelly, 3-packs-a-day smoker's voice. A Dylan Christmas album should sound like Nashville Skyline. Put that album on under some Christmas lights, and it really works. Dylan's deteriorating voice is no longer capable of making a record like that. It's hard to sing in a smooth, cool way when you constantly sound on the verge of coughing up a phlegmball. 

Unlike a lot of people, I've never had a problem with Dylan's voice. I usually like how it sounds. His harmonica solos often grate, but his voice has never been a problem for me, until this album.

Over 10 years ago? What are some of the local bands featured on it?