http://www.christmasreviews.com/ 2009Season CD Reviews en-us Copyright 2005, Christmasreviews.com, Richard Banks, Carol Swanson Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:52:13 GMT http://www.christmasreviews.com/img/xmascd03a.gif http://www.christmasreviews.com/ By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wharveyjoyce.shtml Folksy folk music just seems naturally right this time of year By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wliztim.shtml A rugged little folk gem for the holidays By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wcolinfarish.shtml Easy listening album full of largely contemporary carols and some innovative originals By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wjoehurt3.shtml Smokin' cool set of high-wire jazz selections By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wdavidsinclair.shtml Considered one of the "top 5" Christmas albums of all time in Vancouver By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wjennifergraf2.shtml Expresses herself with easy brightness and warmth By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wsocmusic3.shtml Creates lovely walls of sound on holiday favorites By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wsocmusic2.shtml Family affair By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wsocmusic1.shtml Funky compilation by a new label By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wpetulaclark.shtml Presenting fine holiday releases from the 1960s to today By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wdeniseedwards.shtml A comfortable alto that conveys a sincere faith and contagious optimism By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wseasonsbriefings.shtml Makes a clever argument for kicking back and having some seasonal fun By Ridhard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wvortangle.shtml Cool electronic interpretations By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wericloy3.shtml Mixes solo fingerstyle efforts with rocked-out, electric excitement By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wmcdades1.shtml A ichly woven tapestry of Celtic/world music balanced on a beautiful folk music base By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wmcdades3.shtml A multidimensional world music offering By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtinholme6.shtml Traditional exploration of classic jazz standards and one original By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wunclerock.shtml Sweet, simple children's Christmas; fun for the whole family By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wmarkmasri.shtml Mixed religious/romantic set from pop new age vocalist By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtappfuhrman.shtml Beautiful orchestral progressive rock By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/waaronmeyer.shtml A string-centric, less synthesized version of Mannheim Steamroller By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/waaronmeyer2.shtml Über-talented violinist By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/warchuleta.shtml Exciting young pop vocalist gets it just right By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wstanton5.shtml Delicate arrangements of holiday favorites, along with six soft-spoken originals By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wdjames.shtml Ancient carols and originals served up with reverence By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wchristyj5.shtml Crystalline voice of breathy beauty By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wdrzoot.shtml Features every kind of retro-jazz under the sun By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wchrissquire.shtml Rock-infused classical By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wballinthehouse5.shtml Heavenly harmonies with a gritty edge By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wnoelsings2.shtml Perhaps the sweetest, purest voice on the planet By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wjerrydouglas.shtml Dynamic instrumentals with a few choice vocal pieces By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wlocklinroad2.shtml Rich mosaic of well-crafted originals and beloved Scottish/Celtic holiday pieces By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wcoriconnors2009.shtml It takes a real artist to drag us to Christmas Present and Future with original music. By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/whuttlinger5.shtml Low-key and lovely By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wanniemosesband.shtml Unique family's love affair with strings By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wanniemosesbandglorious.shtml Floating vocal harmonies add an ethereal quality to gutsy, jazzy instrumentation By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wfrielbrothers.shtml Genre-bending melange is pleasing and fun By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/woneillbrothers2009.shtml Relaxing piano music By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wglennmohr.shtml Effervescent mixed choir sings unusual set By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wrobertway4.shtml The Muzak Man raids the archives, and throws in six new arrangements, to boot By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wluther.shtml Combines classical magnificence with gospel greatness By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wedwardwright.shtml Impressively developed snippets of the ancient, the contemporary, the classical, and the carefree By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wgunning4.shtml A feel-good, cheery embrace for the holidays By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtequilamockingbirds2.shtml Jazzy duo produces a nice blend of the familiar and the not-so-familiar By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtinalambert.shtml Heavenly Harmonizer By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wscheetz4.shtml Hard-core rocker By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wsolveig.shtml A voice like silken gold By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/w2012.shtml Futuristic, spacey treat By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/whipwaders.shtml Nine original tunes and a Vicuña By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wmah32.shtml Bursting with creative style, emotional warmth, and breathtaking improvisation By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wartfultouch.shtml Touching tribute to the season By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wbobdylan.shtml Stunning, mesmerizing. I couldn't stop listening to it. By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wbobdylan.shtml Stunning, mesmerizing. I couldn't stop listening to it. By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtommason.shtml Sizzling side guitar! Exotic rhythms! Dazzling dobro! By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wgundersen.shtml Blissful selections by Norwegian guitarist By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtriowest2009.shtml More jazzed up selections By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtravelersdream.shtml Sprightly Celtic seasonal set By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wkermitruffins.shtml Lively and quick, with satiny edges and a bluesy soul By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wcarlabley.shtml Sit back, relax, and fall into the world of wonderful jazz. By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wbprnbb.shtml Brings R&B excitement to holiday fare By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wdreadedgnats2.shtml Angst-ridden, humor-injected, foul-mouthed relative that makes you laugh even while you push the bastard out the door By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtgocp.shtml Over an hour of nicely-crafted acoustic instrumentals for the holidays By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wfrankie2009.shtml Sinatra sings Christmas By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtimberlineplayers.shtml Peaceful flute selections By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wmaloneevans.shtml Nine swingin' originals By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wemmanuelshall.shtml Sweet celebration of the season By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wlindagray.shtml Inspirational By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wkevinkoelbl.shtml Jazzy easy listening vocals and orchestra By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wjohngarvey.shtml Pastiche of holiday themes By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wstraight2009.shtml Creative pop arrangements are complex and entertaining By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wsting.shtml Eclectic holiday offering surprises and pleases on every level By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wcharliedaniels2009.shtml Bright, feel-good, celebratory music with a mellow flavor By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wjugband2009.shtml 73 minutes of jug-infused revelry By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wwaynegratz.shtml Inspiring new age themes By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wtey.shtml Soulful pop singer/songwriter By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wpetercombe.shtml A finely-crafted, well-executed album that is fun, funny, and entertaining, particularly for newly-minted humans By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wjanelaine4.shtml Piano and guitar, perfect partners By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wjazzybrass.shtml Not a jazz fan? Broaden your horizons. By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wsolvguttene.shtml Pleasing international audiences since 1940 By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wwolfgangplagge.shtml Prodigy Norwegian pianist extraordinaire By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wgrexvocalis.shtml Seamless fusion, perfect harmonization, precise intonations, and astoundingly smooth blends By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wanoctaveabove.shtml Impressive singing and richly woven harmonies By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wnealleandra5.shtml Focusing on the superb vocals and sparse acoustic support By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wnealleandra2.shtml Will likely bring tears to your eyes By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wvesnivka2005.shtml Want to rock your world, Ukrainian style? By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wvesnivka.shtml The Vesnivka Choir delivers on every level By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wvocinobili.shtml Fluid, ethereal stylings By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wnollaig.shtml Make these eclectic selections spring to life By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wybarra2.shtml Hearty helping of Latin/Spanish/flamenco stylings for the holidays By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wgah.shtml St. Louis-based indie group that has been generating considerable buzz since its formation in 2005 By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/waccidentals.shtml Uber-talented group By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/waccidentals3.shtml Creative treatments of favorites By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wcarltanner.shtml Less stuffy than your average operatic type By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wheartlandsong.shtml This oldie is definitely a goodie By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wheartland2009.shtml Large ensemble that has been entertaining audiences in Kansas City since 1986 By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wdjeremiah2.shtml A pop/jazz delight By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wchicagoacappella2009.shtml Skillful ensemble cleanly nails each international offering, combining the rare and obscure with better-known delights By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wrajaton.shtml From pop fun to refined, contemplative, and classical By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wchanteznoel.shtml If you appreciate great a cappella renditions in classical stylings, then this album will be your cup of tea By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wlesters2009.shtml Classical family affair By Richard Banks http://www.christmasreviews.com/wlesters2009.shtml Classical family affair By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wcedille.shtml Moody, melancholy, and introspective By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wputumayo2009.shtml Well-executed mish-mash of diverse holiday delights By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wpeterkater.shtml Lushly-developed new-age rhapsody By Carol Swanson http://www.christmasreviews.com/wgeorgequincy.shtml Lovingly crafted and carefully executed