Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

There's something about the Christmas season that brings out the worst in some record company execs. They seem to think that celebrating the birthday of the Saviour of the world is a good excuse for bringing out CDs of a quality so dire, that any self-respecting music buff would either recycle them as shaving mirrors, or bore holes in the edges and hang them on the Christmas tree. Having listened in my time to a good few albums packed with unadulterated Yuletide garbage, I viewed yet another instrumental package of the same old carols with a jaundiced eye. On investigation, however, I found the name of Billy Smiley as producer, along with some respected Nashville sessioners on the cast list, and playing the album, I found some imaginative arrangements, good playing (including Mr Smiley's flugel horn and some tasty acoustic guitar from Mark Baldwin), and a genuinely worshipful atmosphere, although the inclusion of "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" grated somewhat. Nevertheless, that minor quibble apart, I think this is perfectly acceptable mood music to aid the digestion of the turkey and plum pud, and all the better for having had some thought and effort spent on it.

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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