Search - Various Artists :: Las Vegas Christmas 2

A benefit for the Aid for AIDS of Nevada organization, this compilation of dog-eared Yuletide chestnuts, delivered in styles ranging from straight-up rock to punk to hip-hop, scores top marks for intent. Still, it's one thing to commend a project and another to spend time with it. For the most part, A Las Vegas Christmas, Vol. II falls flat. Blame the mostly humdrum performances of the mostly unknown artists or the fact that songs such as "Santa Baby," "Little Drummer Boy," "Let It Snow," and "Silent Night" have all appeared in superior form elsewhere. A message from the mayor of Vegas and a bit lifted wholesale from a radio morning show suggest this was intended for a local audience, but considering the gravity of the charity, it's too bad organizers couldn't find a way to tap the wealth of marquee performers who play the Strip each year. On the plus side, spoken-word holiday wishes from fey Germanic lion tamers Siegfried and Roy rival just about anything Richard Pryor committed to tape. --Kim Hughes