I came to Miles Davis's "Birth of the Cool" with expectations. Expectations which were shattered more or less as soon as the needle hit the groove. It didn't take me long to realize the error of my ways, and it's a mistake I've vowed not to revisit.

It’s that time again, boys and girls. Santa, egg nog, menorahs, craziness, last-minute shopping, and empty bank accounts to ring in the New Year. You’re going to need some good music to get through it all, and even more to entertain family and friends. Whatever your family situation, if you’re looking for music appropriate to the holidays, you need look no further. There are some really goodies in the list of mostly new releases that follows. Enjoy!

Esperanza, founded by the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia in 1987, works to “bring a sustained response of hope to the barrio.” To raise funds for their work, they’ve put together this Christmas compilation with performances by Marcos Witt, Alejandro Sanz, Miguel Angel Guerra, Jose Carreras, Santana, and others. Michelle Bonilla sings quite the “O Holy Night.” The sound quality of the transfers leaves something to be desired, but the joy this will bring to its target audience is great.

Star Trek (Blu-ray), The Taking of Pelham 123 (Blu-ray), Angels & Demons (Blu-ray), Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws (Blu-ray), A Charlie Brown Christmas (Blu-ray), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1965, Blu-ray), Wrong Turn (Blu-ray), An American Werewolf in London (Blu-ray), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000, Blu-ray), The Office: Season 5 (Blu-ray), Battlestar Galactica - The Plan (Blu-ray), District 9 (Blu-ray), The Inglourious Basterds (Blu-ray)

I hate to sound like a grumpy old man, but I'm a little worn out with all of today's wacky collaborations between seemingly divergent recording artists. One need only check the YouTube footage of Paul McCartney singing "Yesterday" with Lincoln Park and Jay-Z to see how far south that idea can fly.