Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

This is one of the best Christmas releases I've heard for quite a while, impressing from the first few notes. I'm only sorry it's not a full album. What's most striking about this EP by a Californian singer/songwriter is the tasty acoustic guitar work, with some fine mandolin and even a discreet touch of brass on some tracks. Boles' vocals are reminiscent of Tom Paxton, only better! The words are crystal clear, the music complements rather than swamps the lyrics, which are delivered with gentleness and conviction. "Silent Night" is given a straightforward folk treatment, well capturing the simplicity of the original. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", likewise, is a faithful treatment. "Go Tell It On The Mountain" is a bluesy version that is growing on me, and we even get a Latin hymn "Donna Nobis Pacem" (available as a free download at jpeterboles.com) - almost Latin bluegrass. Must be a first! The original track, "Warm Winter's Eve In December (Innkeeper's Story)", written by Robb Mackay, is a worthy retelling of the story of Mary and Joseph at the inn in Bethlehem, but looking at events mainly from the innkeeper's point of view.

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