Reviewed by Tony Cummings

One of the snags of working in a radio station and hearing the output blaring out all day is that certain songs eventually really get on your nerves! A classic example of this phenomenon is the Cross Rhythms radio exposure given to Dylan's "Must Be Santa", featured on this set. At first the sheer novelty of the folk rock icon running through a ludicrous Santa song backed by what sounds like the world's most off-kilter polka band produced a broad smile from this reviewer but heard 60 or 70 times it makes one prone to commit acts of violence! Overall though, as Cross Rhythms writer Darren Hirst has already documented, 'Christmas In The Heart' is a surprisingly successful venture by the recording star into the field of carols and Santa songs. The classic track is, for me, Dylan's reworking of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" which, as one reviewer correctly pointed out, the veteran treats like an Irish rebel song. But I'm also keen on his reading of "O Come All Ye Faithful" while "The Christmas Blues" has its moments too.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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