Annie Lennox releases first holiday album

Annie Lennox proves herself a pro at mixing old and new world sounds on her first holiday album, "A Christmas Cornucopia," which features a combination of English and French classics, along with an original song as well.

The album opens with "Angles From the Realms of Glory," to which Lennox adds a Middle Eastern sound, and "Lullay Lullay (Coventry Carol)," features some great new vocal twists to make it a dark emotional and whirlwind.

"In The Bleak Midwinter" is a calm and sleepy tune, great for rocking the kids to bed. Not wanting to stick too close to one culture she adds a French number, "Il est ne le Divin Enfant," and incorporates German on "Silent Night."

Lennox traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, to record with the African Children's Choir, who contribute to the albums backup vocals and add a beautiful and unique melody. The only song written by Lennox is the last one of the album called "Universal Child," which is one of the weakest of the group, but still holds weight due to her incredible voice.

— Summer Moore, Associated Press