Boy George - 'White Xmas'

Another entry in the new Christmas songs stakes is Boy George's 'White Xmas' which is now available to download. It starts off with classic Christmas bells before introducing speeded up reggae beats with jazzy trumpet and George's smooth voice occasionally going a bit jazzy as well. It's a great version, happy and up rather than the usual slow and melancholy versions of the song people often record to show how sensitive they are. I *like* this, it's a happy, smiling song for Christmas that you can dance along to, and George is in great voice.

There are two new songs as the 'B' side, 'Lousy Substitute' and 'More Girls Just Like You'. Any new work from George is welcomed, especially after the year he's had, so here's hoping these are the first songs to emerge from some time in the studio that will lead to a new album. I saw George play live three times in 2008 (each time at the Shaw Theatre) and am seeing him after Christmas as part of his season at the Leicester Square Theatre (where his musical, 'Taboo' was staged).

Go on, do the downloady thing right now and have a white Christmas with George.

Here he is singing 'White Xmas' on the Alan Titchmarsh Show last week: