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Our Review

Here's something special. Jordan Lee's "Christmas Collectibles" is a pleasing mix of old-fashioned pleasures. Lee plays a mean guitar, and Judy Hall supplies lovely vocals on this well-rounded holiday CD.

The CD contains 16 tracks of largely familiar tunes, except for four totally original songs (written by Lee and Hall). Four classic carols are instrumentals. The mood switches dramatically through the collection, ranging from an old-timey feel akin to Lawrence Welk's best bubbly on "White Christmas" and the original "Music In The Air" (with harmonies reminiscent of the Lennon Sisters), to the solemn acoustic magnificence of Lee's guitar on songs like "Come O Come Emmanuel." The tone is alternately somber ("What Child Is This"), cheery ("Jingle Bells"), and sometimes a little country ("Sure As There's A Christmas Day"). Lee's only vocal comes on his original "Logs On The Fire," a touching love song for the holidays. The album closes with a "Bonus Song"--a sweet rendition of "Amazing Grace."

My favorite cuts? That's easy--I have two. First, "Mary Did You Know" is a superb folk song featuring powerful vocals and guitar work; it packs an emotional punch that will raise goose bumps on your arms ("Mary, did you know that 'this child that you delivered will soon deliver you?'"). Wonderful stuff! My other favorite track is an original number "More & Less" sung a cappella by Hall; this number elaborates on the season's true meaning.

"Christmas Collectibles" is a fine collection with something of interest for every holiday music lover.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Musicians: Jordan Lee: With a prolific South Carolina style blues background, Lee's guitar creates an authentic taste of folk and blues renderings. Mary Did You Know, What Child Is This & Silent Night are among some of the great guitar-dominated songs in this collection. But nothing touches home more intimately than the heartwarming Logs on the Fire, the only song that also features Lee as both songwriter and lead vocalist.

Judy Hall and Christmas go hand in hand. She absolutely comes alive during the holiday season and the joy flows through in the songs. Whether the sacred hymns of the Savior's birth, or the fun-filled contemporary carols, she feels it deeply and it shows. Judy's first original recorded song More and Less is included in this collection.

Kim Wendt adds beautiful backup vocals to several of the selections. Her warm, melodic voice compliments the arrangements and lead vocals perfectly complete the song experience.

Sam Pacetti is one of the most respected acoustic guitar players in the world. His renditions of O Come, O Come Emmanuel and the Irish Traditional Kemp's Jig as well as guitar interludes on Silent Night and White Christmas demonstrates why he continues to be regarded as one of the very best guitarists in the business.

Anna Ciccarelli instructs on multiple instruments and voice&. Anna plays clarinet and piano on O Holy Night.

Ron Litschauer performs the mandolin on Music In The Air and both produced and recorded the entire project in his studio at Acoustic Music Productions&.

Jenni Selman is the daughter of an Opera singer. Jenni's lead vocals on Music In The Air adds a warm and cheerful spirit to this brand new Christmas original.

Jordan Lee and Friends

Christmas Collectibles

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Track List