A Christmas Carol

The other eight contributions are originals, including piano balladeer Noodles on Jupiter's stirring composition, "The Ghost of Christmas Past," complete with background dialogue lifted from the Dickens classic. Then there's Sabatella's own "Christmas With You." The song, which consists solely of lush barbershop harmonies, is a major departure from Sabatella's anthemic guitar chords and driving rhythms. Ward's "Everyday Is Christmas" shines with wistful melodies and full-throated vocals. Trophy Wife's haunting original, "My Love," raises more than a few goose bumps as lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Karen Feldner provides mournful vocals over drip-drop guitar.

The compilation, of course, is not without its playful side. Sabatella includes a friend's five-year-old sister singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in Spanish. The Rudy XXXMas Choir's track, "I Love Santa," written in the spirit of a drinking song, has a playful but rather unappetizing story line -- unless, of course, you like stories about a drunken Santa going poop in the family eggnog. Singer Robbie Gennet explains: "We wrote our song because of an incident that happened one Christmas when band member Howard Goldberg found something floating in the eggnog at his family's home." One can only wonder what the outcome would have been if Santa left a sinker, rather than a 'floater.'"

With a stocking full of terrific songs, Sabatella's next duty was to decide to which organization he should donate the project's proceeds. He thought of asking contributors to choose their own charities but wisely foresaw complications. The only thing Sabatella knew for sure was that, in light of such recent events as the massacre at Columbine High School, he wanted to help America's young people. "In all the talk that goes on after something like that, all the adults have their theories, but nobody's really listening to what the kids feel is wrong. They're probably the ones who know the most," he reasons.

He considered giving whatever money he raised to VH1's Save the Music Foundation, which helps fund the music programs of financially stressed American schools. But ultimately Sabatella wanted an agency that dealt more directly with kids. "I had a great family structure," Sabatella says. "And that was very important to my development. My parents, my brothers -- we all loved each other. If every kid had that, I don't think the situation would be as bad as it is."

Sabatella discovered a worthy charity while browsing for info on the Save the Music Website, an organization called the Alliance For Youth. The organization's goal is to aid agencies such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, which create more interest in today's youth. When Sabatella contacted the group, a representative suggested he act more locally by donating funds to the Mentoring Resource Center, the Alliance's lead agency in South Florida.

Because of a shortage of time and money, Sabatella has been able to burn only a couple hundred CDs so far, many of which he sold at the disc's release party last week at Blue Note Record Store in North Miami. This disc is also available, for $10, on Slipstream Presents, where the tracks can be sampled. (Individual songs can also be downloaded for 75 cents apiece). If demand is great enough, Sabatella will press more copies of the disc.

Indeed he's so encouraged by the compilation's outcome that he's considering other musical charity projects for the future, ones that wouldn't necessarily tie in with Christmas. Does this mean that there won't be another Do Something! next year?

"Well, I did put 'Volume One' on the cover," Sabatella says, smirking. "I'd love to do it again next year. But I'll know next time to start it much earlier."