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Debbie Zepick is difficult to peg. This Canadian singer-songwriter's See Amid the Winter's Snow has a Celtic feel, pop/folk sensibilities, and a solid Christian grounding. Whatever musical label is affixed, Zepick's sound is downright splendid; this artist is a glorious find!

This album is beautiful on every level, beginning with the cover. The photo is a close-up of swirling textures; presumably, the photo depicts wood and rocks against the snow, and the browns and grays are gorgeous. Fortunately, the quality continues once the CD starts swirling on your audio system. Although I am somewhat leery of sopranos, who can sound reedy and cold, Zepick's welcoming vocals are a soft embrace. Truly wonderful!

On See Amid the Winter's Snow, she presents 11 excellent numbers, mostly Zepick originals or pieces arranged under Zepick's golden touch. What a tremendous songwriter! Her selections tell great stories, including the heartwarming "Gray Mittens," making us thankful for the simplest gifts given with love and sacrifice ("In the coldest winter I ever knew, Momma's mittens came through." On Zepick's enchanting and lively "We Weren't Expecting You," the choral line clung to me for hours after the CD ended, and the fantastic fiddling had me doing some serious swingin' in my seat. The purity and richness of Zepick's voice shine with greatest clarity on her "Only Simple Things," another creative gem. Since "Joy to the World" is the only obvious holiday number here, See Amid the Winter's Snow can be played again and again after the Christmas season ends without provoking frowns from dubious family members. It's a keeper all year long!

The accompaniment on this album deserves special mention; the musicianship is first class throughout. The piano, violins, guitars, recorders and other instruments support and uplift the excellent vocals without ever overshadowing them.

Debbie Zepick's See Amid the Winter's Snow may be the sweetest holiday treat that you unwrap this holiday season or any other. Enjoy!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Christmas is nothing less than the greatest miracle in the world. God has come down to a people in the greatest of need, with the greatest of love. We are not alone. We have not been abandoned. Emmanuel, who is man and God is with us. How could chubby, bearded old men in red suits, mad commercialism, and frenzied "preparations" cloud out vision, clutter our contemplation and steal our joy? We are rescued. Joy to the world! The deaf hear! The blind see! Jesus has come! Our war is over!
--Debbie Zepick

Produced by Roy Salmond and Debbie Zepick
Debbie Zepick: acoustic piano, vocals, harmonies
Roy Salmond: acoustic & electric guitars, keyboards, Wurli, pump organ, percussion, string arrangements
Miles Hill: electric and acoustic bass
Spencer Capier: violin, mandolin, bouzouki
Amy Stephen: celtic harp, penny whistle, recorder, choir arrangements
Tom Keeleyside: flute
Gayle Salmond: children's choir, background vocal on "See Amid the Winter's Snow"
Mark Ferris: violin
Mark Koenig: violin
Henry Lee: viola
Finn Manniche: cello
Children's choir: Janaya Salmond, Kevin Haggarty, Jamie Reek, Lee Borthistle
Choir: Amy Stephen, Gayle Salmond, Debbie Zepick, Cliff Reinhardt, Steve Froses, Greg Mohr, Cameron Engel

From the Web site:

As one friend described her, "Debbie Zepick is a wife, mother of 2, praise and worship leader, recording artist, and a very gifted song writer. This artist has a love for God, and her music has a wide range of styles enabling almost any listener to be touched." Although she and her band do not attempt to "be" Celtic and do not use traditional instruments, she has always had that comment made about her voice and musical style.

Debbie Zepick

See Amid the Winter's Snow

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Track List