offBeat

New Orleans and Louisiana have produced more Christmas music than people realize. Here are the highlights, all of which are available at Louisiana Music Factory or online music services:

Johnny Adams: Christmas in New Orleans (Mardi Gras): Adams is still in fine voice late in his career, and his “Sleigh Bells” is one of the best.

Theresa Andersson, John Fohl and David Doucet: Peace Stories (ADF): A lovely, spiritual, acoustic Christmas album.

Harry Connick, Jr.: What a Night! A Christmas Album (Sony): His third and most inventive Christmas album, with an unprecedented version of “Holly Jolly Christmas.”

Fats Domino: Christmas is a Special Day (CSP): It’s Fats on automatic pilot, but he remains compelling, and his takes of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Silent Night” are special.

Wynton Marsalis: Crescent City Christmas Card (Sony): A collection of audacious reimaginings of Christmas classics that doesn’t lose the holiday spirit.

Aaron Neville: Aaron Neville’s Soulful Christmas (A&M): His first and best-balanced Christmas effort.

Huey “Piano” Smith: Twas the Night Before Christmas (Ace): Light on the seasonal touches, Smith’s may be the most joyous and raucous Christmas album ever.

Other Louisiana Christmas Albums that Will Deck your Halls:

Hadley J. Castille: Cajun Christmas (Delta)

Michael Doucet: Christmas Bayou (Swallow)

Lars Edegran and his Santa Claus Revelers: Crescent City Christmas (GHB)

Frankie Ford: Christmas (Louisiana Red Hot)

Judith Owen: Christmas in July (Independent)

Don Rich: This Christmas Day (Jin)

Various Artists: Christmas Gumbo (Flambeaux)

Various Artists: Santa Swings (Louisiana Red Hot)

Various Artists: A New Orleans Christmas (Putumayo)

Various Artists: Have a Merry South Louisiana Christmas (CSP)

Various Artists: Christmas Greeting from New Orleans (LA Red Hot)

Marva Wright: My Christmas Song (Mardi Gras)