Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

I'm afraid I was not well disposed to towards this album even before I started listening. The CD cover was bland, the choice of songs predictable and very little information given in the sleevenotes. The only credit shown on the sleeve was that of America's David Shelley who was responsible for the arrangements on the traditional carols. My reservations were not exactly blown away when I started listening to the music - a bland "Jingle Bells" was not the best choice for the first track! Much of this is generic Christmas music, suitable as background atmosphere, at home during dinner parties or at the stores for Christmas shopping. Production values are okay, sound quality is fine and there are some of the female lead vocals are appealing, on "O Holy Night" for example. That track also shows off some pleasant choral work. I liked the bass playing on some tracks, like "Sleigh Ride" and there's some tasty sax on "Angels We Have Heard On High". There's a nice vocal duet on 'Winter Wonderland' backed by some of presumably Shelley's piano playing while the beautiful song "Joy To The World" is given a cabaret-style treatment. All in all, the muzak levels of many of the tracks here make this an unappealing album even at a budget price.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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