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If you are content to hear worn out, easy listening renditions of the same old, same old holiday tunes, click here. Otherwise, read on:

A Winter's Night, The Best of Nettwerk Christmas is a condensed and fortified recap of Nettwerk's decidedly non-lame Maybe This Christmas series. And the best thing is, they really did pick the best songs from the series-- especially if you're addicted to women pop singers. Featuring Sarah McLachlan, Avril Lavigne, Chantal Kreviazuk, Lisa Hannigan, Dido, Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), and Martina Sorbara. Not to leave out Frazey Ford, Trish Klein, and Sam Parton of The Be Good Tanyas. Need I say more?

On the off chance there is anyone who needs more persuading, I should mention that The Be Good Tanyas sing Rudy, a Donny Dolinger song I've gushed over once before. The Be Good Tanyas are formidable whatever they're singing, even minus the incomparable but wayward Jolie Holland. But if you like overly sentimental lyrics set to alternative chord progressions performed on acoustic instruments by a trio of female pop singers, then you'll understand why I get ramped up about songs like Rudy.

Deserving more than honorable mention is Dido's slightly enigmatic but very beautiful Christmas Day and an appropariately plaintive performance of O Holy Night by Avril Lavigne and Chantal Kreviazuk. Unfortunately, I am slighting several other performances by singling out these three, the disc is that loaded with good songs.

In fact, there isn't a sour note on this entire compilation of compilations. Rounding out the CD are Mediaeval Baebes, Barenaked Ladies, Guster, Jack Johnson, Ron Sexsmith (singing Maybe This Christmas, the title track and namesake of the Nettwerk holiday series) and Neil Finn, a noteworthy set of artists in their own right. With original songs and and inspiring arrangements galore, A Winter's Night, The Best of Nettwerk Christmas definitely makes the cut this holiday season.

--Richard banks
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Recorded live backstage at WPLT Planetfest, December, 1996. Vocals: Steven Page, Ed Robertson, and Sarah McLachlan; Bass: Jim Creeggan; Suitcase: Tyler Stewart

Donde Esta Santa Claus: Written by Alvin G Grenier, Gordon Rod Parker and George Scheck; All instruments and vocals by Guster; Additional instruments (bass, guitar, Dewanitron) and arrangement by Leon Dewan; Background singers include Leon Dewan, Melissa Bisagni, Kerri Silvestri, Tarquin Katis, Tom Katis, Henry Katis, Jay Crouch and the Zambonis (Jon Aley, Dave Schneider, Matt Orifice).

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Written by Johnny Marks; Additional lyrics by Jack Johnson; Recorded at Brotheryn Studios

O Holy Night: Written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, 1947; English translation by John Sullivan Dwight; Music by Adolphe Charles Adam; Produced and performed by Chantal Kreviazuk; Cello: Victor Lawrence; Violin: Mark Robertson and Sam Formicola; Viola: Alma Fernandez.

Silent Night: Performed by Lisa Hannigan; lyrics by Lisa Hannigan

Christmas Day: Written by D. Armstrong and R. Armstrong; Produced by Rollo and Dido; Performed by Dido; Guitar: Paul Herman; Keyboards: Sister Bliss; Percussion: Sudha; Additional vocals: Pauline Taylor

Song For a Winter's Night: Written by Gordon Lightfoot; Arranged by Sarah McLachlan; Produced by Pierre Marchand; Acoustic guitar, vocals: Sarah McLachlan; Guitars: Luke Doucet, David Sinclair; Mellotron, Hammond organ: David Kershaw; Percussion: Ashwin Sood; Bass: Brian Minato; Additional keyboards: Pierre Marchand.

Guadete: Produced by Declan Colgan; Performed by Mediaeval Baebes.

Maybe This Christmas: Written by Ron Sexsmith; Guitar, organ, vocals: Ron Sexsmith; Drums, xylophone, backing vocals, Don Kerr.

Sweet Secret Peace: Written by Neil Finn and Michael Leunig; Vocals, piano, vibes: Neil Finn; Bass: Sebastian Steinberg; Violin: Lisa Germano; Mixed by Neil Baldock

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear: Music By Richard Storrs Willis; Lyrics by Edmund Hamilton Sears; Produced by Sam Ashworth and Taylor Harris; Vocals: Leigh Nash; Guitars, Wurlitzer, pedal steel: Matt Slocum; Drums: Rob Mitchell; Bass: Justin Cary; Additional musicians: Percussion, ebowuitar: Sam Ashworth; Percussion, programming: Taylor Harris.

Green Christmas: Produced and performed by Barenaked Ladies; Recorded and mixed by Tim Oberthier; Written by Page/Robertson

The Cat Carol: Written by Bruce Evans; Arranged by Meryn Cadell and Bruce Evans; Performd by Meryn Cadell; Guitars; Ken Myhr; Additional vocals: Erica Buss, Bruce Evans, Neil Exall, Chloe Franklin-Humphries, Jessamyn Kobryn-Hurd and Tyler Stewart.

Rudy: Performed by the Be Good Tanyas; Written by Danny Dolinger; Produced by Sam Parton & Brodie Smith; Vocals: Frazey Ford; Vocals & mandolin: Trish Klein; Vocals, guitar & organ: Sam Parton; Piano, organ, 12-string guitar & percussion: Brodie Smith.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year: Performed by Martina Sorbara; Written by Eddie Pola and George Wyle.

Various Artists

A Winter's Night,
The Best of Nettwerk Christmas

Track List