Snowin' in the Wind? Dylan Christmas album due

LONDON (Reuters) – Bob Dylan is set to release an album of Christmas songs, including "Here Comes Santa Claus" and the carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem," according to music websites.

Rumors of the album first emerged on Isis magazine website, which is devoted to Dylan. It later reported the songs had been recorded in Jackson Browne's studio in Santa Monica, California, in May.

David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, who played accordion on Dylan's chart-topping latest album "Together Through Life," is one of the musicians who took part in the sessions, it said.

"It is a personal project of Dylan himself rather than an idea put forward by his record company," Isis said.

Billboard magazine said it had confirmed the album existed. Other songs included "Must Be Santa" and "I'll be Home for Christmas," it said.

Dylan, now aged 68, is currently touring the United States as part of his so-called "Never Ending Tour."

Britain's Uncut magazine meanwhile poked fun at the project, serving up Yuletide puns on Dylan songs such as "A Hard Reindeer's A-Gonna Fall," "Sleigh Lady Sleigh" and "Girl From The North Pole Country."

More:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_dylan_christmas_odd

Diamond released one about 20 years ago

The possibilities are endless.

but it is part of a tradition, isn't it?

So he at least has some kind of connection to the Jeezo-angle of the season that even Diamond cannot claim.

But why the hell not? He has always seen himself as being in the tradition of American songsters, in the same vein as Sinatra and others who have penned their own Yule Gruel. Plus, he has grandkids now, and he could be doing it for them as much as any reason. Sounds strange, but you never know which sentiments come to the fore with that milestone.

It should be more interesting than the usual holiday platters - 99.9% are cliched goo. I can see it having a bit of the blues/latin/jazz flavoring of his recent recordings.

it is also in the tradition of Dylan mindfuckery- "Did you hear the crazy stories that Bob is making a Christmas record???!!!" - and I'm always in favor of more Dylan mindfuckery.

It's the best kind, coz no one else is in on it except him.