All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan (BNA, 2003)

Having spent the past few Christmases in the Caribbean, Kenny Chesney puts that influence front and center on this album, starting with the Paul Overstreet title track. "Instead of turkey we'll have mahi-mahi grilled," Chesney sings, in his laid-back style. He gives "Jingle Bells" a makeover with steel drums, horns and some new lyrics: "You know I hate the cold / That's why I always go / Down south to drink some rum..."

Chesney performs two country Christmas classics as duets with the original artists: Randy Owen joins him on "Christmas in Dixie," and Willie Nelson sings on "Pretty Paper." Despite all these nice surprises, the best track is the one that deviates the least from Chesney's traditional sound, Skip Ewing's "Thank God for Kids," which comes complete with banjo and steel guitar. "Silver Bells," with its synthesized percussion, would fit better on an Eighties light pop album. But that misstep aside, this is a pretty good offering that will satisfy Chesney's many fans.