Christmas Day is just a week away and despite the economic blues, singers the world over are crooning carols and festive tunes with a less religious slant.

Enya's "And Winter Came"(Reprise) is an enchanting evocation of

 the changing landscape of winter, and features only two traditional hymns, one of them being "Oiche Chuin", the Irish version of "Silent Night". A big surprise is "My! My! Time Flies" is a 70's-inspired pop song with blues guitar.

Sarah Brightman's "A Winter Symphony" (Manhattan) is a great album and her beautiful

 voice means you can listen to it after the holidays too. Best tracks are "Ave Maria", with its different arrangement, and the operatic "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy".

Faith Hill's "Joy to the World" (Warner Bros) is her first holiday album featuring new versions of traditional and modern classics with horns, strings, woodwinds, percussion and chorales.

Elvis Presley's "Christmas Duets" (Sony) has a plethora of cherished holiday classics reinterpreted by today's biggest female stars with Elvis Presley including Martina McBride on "Blue Christmas" and Carrie Underwood in "I'll Be Home for Christmas".

Al Jarreau's "Christmas" (Rhino) is not for non-jazz or even non-Jarreau fans, "Winter Wonderland", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "White Christmas" are fun.

Grandma will love Dean Martin's "Christmas with Dino" (Capitol), which features the holiday cuts from "The Dean Martin Christmas Album". Sip a brandy and chill.

Harry Connick Jr's "What A Night!" is a surprise, especially the duet with his 11-year-old daughter Sarah Kate on "Winter Wonderland".

Yo-Yo Ma's "Songs of Joy & Peace" (Sony) is a stunning winter holiday album celebrating hopes and dreams from around the world.

Compilations include "The Very Best of Christmas Album" (USM) comprising 32 tracks featuring classics sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Cosby, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Hanson and "This Warm December: Brushfire Holiday Vol 1" (Universal), a collection of Xmas songs from Jack Johnson, G Love, Mason Jenning, and Matt Costa.

"The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs" (Sony) is an all-female singer-songwriter holiday album featuring a collection of the classics as well as brand new originals including a duet by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson.

"Verve Remixed Christmas" (Verve) is the successful groundbreaking series that marries Xmas songs by Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald with today's beat-makers.

Last but not least is a Decca-label soundtrack album of romantic comedy movie "Four Christmases" featuring Sarah McLachlan, Martina McBride , Perry Como, and Bing Crosby.

Merry Christmas!