**Spring Cleaning~All Craig 'N Co. Cds $10.99 this month** New Chanukah CD deserves more spins than a dreidel SUZANNE WEISS Jewish Bulletin Correspondent Chanukah oh Chanukah, have I got a CD for you! It is rare that a jaded reviewer gets turned on by a recording of songs already heard about a million times, most of them since childhood, but never say "never." Craig Taubman's latest compendium, "Celebrate Hanukkah," is the exception that proves the rule. Taubman, as canny a producer as he is a performer, has put together a disc of 13 holiday songs (in almost as many styles) from performers such as Peter Yarrow, Debbie Friedman, Judy Frankel and jazz veterans Ben Sidran and Jon Simon. Arrangements roam the musical map from rock to reggae, klezmer to 1960s folk, and the whole thing glows with the power of a menorah in full blaze. For openers you have the traditional blessings over the candles, performed by Natalie Azerad. This comes from a disc called "Reggae Chanukah" (Mr. E. Records) and, sure enough, after beginning as a slow soul number, with every syllable drawn out and ornamented, it rocks right on to a reggae beat. You won't have any trouble getting the kids over to the menorah with this one. It's unconventional but terrific. Next up is Linda Hirschhorn's lovely "Chanukah/Solstice," a beautiful a cappella canon for female voices that puts one in mind of -- you should excuse me -- the best of the Christmas carols. Except this one's Jewish! There are two versions of "Maoz Tsur" ("Rock of Ages"). The first, sung by producer Taubman himself, with Patti Linsky and Laurence Juber on guitar, is an Israeli rock version of the Chanukah classic. When it appears again, a couple of tracks later, by the klezmer group Tzimmes, it is solemn, almost a dirge. There also are two versions of the ubiquitous "I Have a Little Dreidel," one a smooth jazz rendition by Sidran that doesn't make the dopey lyrics any more palatable but boasts a solo horn that can make you forget them. One cool cut. The other rendition, a swing medley with "Chanukah Oh Chanukah" by pianist Simon, makes you wish for a martini with your candlelight. "Chanukah Oh Chanukah" also shows up again, played in three different klezmer styles that will set your heart (and maybe your feet) dancing to the tune. The Ladino tradition is represented by the lilting "Hanuka" from Frankel's "Silver and Gold" and "Ocho Kandelikas," a delightful counting song, written and performed by Bosnian-born Flory Jagoda. Curiously enough, the heaviest musical hitter carries the least weight. Yarrow's "Light One Candle" harks back to his '60s folk roots, when he performed as part of that famous trio with Paul and Mary. But "Puff the Magic Dragon" this isn't. One of those heavy-handed protest songs that feels a bit anachronistic these days, it is the least satisfying number in the collection. But there's more that is wonderful: a rock version of the prayer "Al Hanisim" (For all these blessings, we shall ever praise you) and another rocking prayer, "Tzur Chayeinu" (You are the rock of our life). This last comes from Joe Green, who is not only one heck of a singer but also the rabbi of a congregation in Albuquerque, N.M. The recording ends in a blaze of glory with Friedman's "Not By Might, Not By Glory." Friedman rocks this one to a vaguely Latin beat with a little help from her friends -- the entire audience at her concert in Carnegie Hall. Anyone who hasn't finished Chanukah shopping would do well to consider adding "Celebrate Hanukkah" to the list. And, even if you're all done, you might want to give it as a special gift to yourself. Established in 1999, the Celebrate Series has introduced hundreds of thousands of listeners to the best collection of Jewish music in the world. The award winning series is a treasure of musical styles from Klezmer to Ladino from Rock 'n Roll to Cantorial, from Yiddish to Kids... there's something for everyone. With 12 titles to chose from, The Celebrate Series packages great music, by great artists and takes the guess work out of shopping for Jewish music. So go ahead...don't you think it's time to Celebrate? "The perfect gift for someone who simply loves Jewish music" Dirty Linen New Chanukah CD deserves more spins than a dreidel SUZANNE WEISS Bulletin Correspondent Chanukah oh Chanukah, have I got a CD for you! It is rare that a jaded reviewer gets turned on by a recording of songs already heard about a million times, most of them since childhood, but never say "never." Craig Taubman's latest compendium, "Celebrate Hanukkah," is the exception that proves the rule. Taubman, as canny a producer as he is a performer, has put together a disc of 13 holiday songs (in almost as many styles) from performers such as Peter Yarrow, Debbie Friedman, Judy Frankel and jazz veterans Ben Sidran and Jon Simon. Arrangements roam the musical map from rock to reggae, klezmer to 1960s folk, and the whole thing glows with the power of a menorah in full blaze. For openers you have the traditional blessings over the candles, performed by Natalie Azerad. This comes from a disc called "Reggae Chanukah" (Mr. E. Records) and, sure enough, after beginning as a slow soul number, with every syllable drawn out and ornamented, it rocks right on to a reggae beat. You won't have any trouble getting the kids over to the menorah with this one. It's unconventional but terrific. Next up is Linda Hirschhorn's lovely "Chanukah/Solstice," a beautiful a cappella canon for female voices that puts one in mind of -- you should excuse me -- the best of the Christmas carols. Except this one's Jewish! There are two versions of "Maoz Tsur" ("Rock of Ages"). The first, sung by producer Taubman himself, with Patti Linsky and Laurence Juber on guitar, is an Israeli rock version of the Chanukah classic. When it appears again, a couple of tracks later, by the klezmer group Tzimmes, it is solemn, almost a dirge. There also are two versions of the ubiquitous "I Have a Little Dreidel," one a smooth jazz rendition by Sidran that doesn't make the dopey lyrics any more palatable but boasts a solo horn that can make you forget them. One cool cut. The other rendition, a swing medley with "Chanukah Oh Chanukah" by pianist Simon, makes you wish for a martini with your candlelight. "Chanukah Oh Chanukah" also shows up again, played in three different klezmer styles that will set your heart (and maybe your feet) dancing to the tune. The Ladino tradition is represented by the lilting "Hanuka" from Frankel's "Silver and Gold" and "Ocho Kandelikas," a delightful counting song, written and performed by Bosnian-born Flory Jagoda. Curiously enough, the heaviest musical hitter carries the least weight. Yarrow's "Light One Candle" harks back to his '60s folk roots, when he performed as part of that famous trio with Paul and Mary. But "Puff the Magic Dragon" this isn't. One of those heavy-handed protest songs that feels a bit anachronistic these days, it is the least satisfying number in the collection. But there's more that is wonderful: a rock version of the prayer "Al Hanisim" (For all these blessings, we shall ever praise you) and another rocking prayer, "Tzur Chayeinu" (You are the rock of our life). This last comes from Joe Green, who is not only one heck of a singer but also the rabbi of a congregation in Albuquerque, N.M. The recording ends in a blaze of glory with Friedman's "Not By Might, Not By Glory." Friedman rocks this one to a vaguely Latin beat with a little help from her friends -- the entire audience at her concert in Carnegie Hall. Anyone who hasn't finished Chanukah shopping would do well to consider adding "Celebrate Hanukkah" to the list. And, even if you're all done, you might want to give it as a special gift to yourself. "There's enough great music to have strong appeal to all ages. This is an essential CD for the holiday season." Jewish Herald Voice "Fourteen cuts bring you the full breadth of musical styles by artists who are making Mah Nishtana and Dayenu sound as never before." Hadassah Magazine "Taubman...welcomes the Seder as an occasion for rejoicing and renewal. That spirit infuses his new CD." Ruth Andrew Ellenson, Jewish Journal "You don't have to be a Jew to enjoy Jewish music, and you don't have to celebrate Passover to love "Celebrate Passover." Laura Edwards, Morning News (SC) "The 25-year old popular group Safam does a very pleasing Pitchu Li. The thrilling voice of Alberto Mizrahi never seems to disappoint." Gila Wertheimer, Chicago Jewish Star "A varied, listenable album all over the musical map... This is the disc to slap on the box while you're frying up the matzo." American Jewish World "A great album to get you in the mood for the coming holiday, maybe even encourages you to wield your broom as a microphone." Marcy Oster, Cleveland Jewish News "A spirited CD for the whole family." Gail Zimmerman, Detroit Jewish News "Some of the most innovative Jewish music today." Brooklyn Family