A Windham Hill Christmas
celebrates the season as it should be -- crystal clear and elegant in its simplicity. It brings together
Windham Hill
's original roster of artists, including
Will Ackerman
,
Alex de Grassi
Liz Story
George Winston
Barbara Higbie
Michael Manring
, and the
Celtic
band
Nightnoise
.
is the perfect respite from the mediocre commercial
holiday
music that dominates store shelves. It's both gorgeous and moving, evocative of crisp winter nights and quiet evenings.
Steve Erquiaga
's guitar rendition of
"Angels We Have Heard on High"
breathes new life into the familiar
hymn
Jim Brickman
's piano arrangement of
"O Holy Night"
is splendid, letting the song's moving melody take the forefront rather than cluttering it with the overwrought
orchestral
arrangements frequently heard of this tune.
's take on
Vince Guaraldi
's
"Christmas Is Coming,"
made famous in the
A Charlie Brown Christmas
TV special, is great fun, while
"Deck the Halls"
is almost unrecognizable, taking on a relaxed, subdued elegance in
's hands.
Tracy Silverman
and
Thea Suits
' take on
"Silent Night"
is haunting and timely, faithful to the melody while bringing it into the present with the underscoring of
Silverman
's electric six-string violin.
is the holiday as it should be: calm, relaxing, relevant, and joyful. ~ Melinda Hill