Track Listing

1. Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella - Brian Dunning, John Fitzpatrick, , Jeff Johnson
2. Good King Wenceslas - Jim Brickman
3. Angels from the Realms of Glory - Barbara Higbie
4. Christmas Time Is Here - Sean Harkness
5. O Holy Night - Tracy Silverman
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Liz Story
7. Little Drummer Boy - Steve Erquiaga
8. Child Is Born - Paul McCandless
9. Winter Wonderland - Philippe Saisse
10. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Giovanna Imbesi
11. Holly and the Ivy - Tim Story
12. Sussex Carol - George Winston
13. Compleat Nutcracker Sweet - Philip Aaberg
14. Yazala Abambuti - Philip Aaberg, Will Ackerman, David Cullen, Samite

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3652 in Music
• Brand: RCA
• Released on: 2004-10-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
The Windham Hill regulars are back with another unhurried compilation of holiday songs, both old and new. Fans of the previous sets will indubitably love this one too; that these are highly skilled musicians is beyond question. But people who tend to prefer jazz, classical or world music will probably get a tad squirmy about half-way through. Why? Because this genre of music can sometimes come across as pallid, self-absorbed and antiseptic. But certain tracks will find adherents regardless--Barbara Higbee's iridescent Angels From The Realms Of Glory is a definite keeper, as is Yazala Abambuti, with dulcet vocals by the great Ugandan singer, Samite. But Philip Aaberg's The Compleat Nutcracker Sweet can only be explained by the widespread proliferation of Attention Deficit Disorder. His piano condensation displays an arch, tongue-in-cheek playfulness that might hopefully inspire interest in the original Tchaikovsky ballet, which is not all that long, really. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews

Peaceful Christmas
I have long been a fan of the Windham Hill Christmas collections, all the way back to the original 1985 release, "A Winter's Solstice". That, and all the subsequent CD's, have been successful to varying degrees in providing an easy, relaxing musical antidote to an often hectic holiday season. The stable of musicians has always been first-rate, from guitarists to pianists, from electronic composers to the occasional vocalist. Some releases, of course, have been less impressive than others ("Winter's Solstice on Ice" was a strange misstep). And the current "Windham Hill Christmas" series has been pleasant enough, if a bit bland. But this latest collection has a particularly warm, and yes, homey feel. Consisting almost entirely of piano and guitar compositions, it effectively conveys the peaceful mood intended. Most of the tunes are quite familiar, save the closing track by Samite, "Yazala Abambuti". Philip Aaberg's "Complete Nutcracker Sweet" is a whimsical five-and-a-half piano condensation of Tchaikovsky's familiar ballet music, and Barbara Higbie's rendition of "Angels from the Realms of Glory" (a carol not heard much these days) is sublimely beautiful. George Winston reminds us once again that he can play harmonica ("Sussex Carol"), but frankly, I would have rather heard him on piano. But just about every track here has a luminous and inspiring quality to it, like all the best Windham Hill music has. It's perfect for background, but even better for those rare moments when you can just put your feet up with a glass of eggnog, and watch the Christmas tree lights in the dark.

Great Christmas background music
The recording is great background music since there are no vocals. It provides a great Christmas mood without being obnoxious. There is a good mix of secular and religious songs. The Nutcracker Sweet is interesting - done on the piano and kind of jazzy but still retains the charm of the original!

Windham Hill Christmas comfort
Great idea to have guests show their talent and enjoy our best loved songs of the season. Great listening,