Reviewed by Tony Cummings

With Nashville marketing men dictating many of the Christmas releases, it would be easy to make cynical comments about an album like this one where a popular series is stretched to include a Christmas release. But such a view would be churlish in view of the fact that producers Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty have assembled a hugely talented set of singers to sing the yuletide fare and ensured that alongside the over exposed carols ("In The Bleak Midwinter", "O Holy Night", etc) there are some fine originals. Pride of place in the latter category goes to "Holy Immanuel" penned by Terry Scott Taylor and Steve Hindalong and sung by Taylor with a tender lilting roots acoustic feel that may be a million miles from Daniel Amos but is still truly affecting. Equally as good is Sixpence None The Richer's interpretation of "Silent Night" while, on other tracks, the vocals of Mac Powell, Sara Groves, Dan Haseltine and Paul Colman all work their magic. As classy as Christmas music gets.

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