Reviewed by Chris Webb

With remembrance events for the Great War abounding and the football match played in "no man's land" during the Christmas truce in 1914 prominent in those commemorations the carol "Silent Night" that triggered the outburst of friendship between enemies is given a new chorus and production to emphasise its importance. Ben Cantelon and Nick Herbert wrote the new section and Faye Streak provides a classy lead vocal. (Paul Pott's version, released as a single, does not feature on this album.) The addition of a chorus does provide an interesting twist to an old familiar favourite. Paul Baloche updates "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" giving it a jolly bouncy feel with throbbing strings added alongside the guitars as it leads into "King Of Heaven" as a chorus to the traditional carol. From 2012 Keith and Kristin Getty's submission is "Joy To The World" with the verse performed traditionally but each verse separated by a sparkling violin-led Irish reel. Lincoln Brewster slips Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" into a driving version of "O Holy Night". Kelly Willard from 1996 sings "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "The First Noel" to gentle acoustic guitar and violin accompaniment. The Irish reel reappears from 'An Irish Christmas' as Moya Brennan jigs up "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". Overall a pleasant, varied selection, but the album design, sleeve notes and photos would seem to indicate this is an album of traditionally rendered carols and Christmas songs. However, this is not so, nor apart from the first track are there any new recordings, this album is a collection of songs from previous Christmas albums dating from 1992.

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