Search - Sanders Family Christmas :: Sequel to Smoke on the Mountain

Something Special Around Christmas

04/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a really nice recording of the second in the Sander's Family Shows. I have seen them both, and the Sander's Family Christmas is better than the original Smoke On The Mountain which is also very good. It helps a lot if you have seen the show before listening to the music. The story line and the music are intertwined nicely and it makes more sense if you know what is going on, particulary with June Sanders, the eldest daughter. If you like American roots music (think O' Brother Where Art Thou) you will like this recording. If at all possible see the live show. When Family Christmas played in Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park in 1999, they held it over past Christmas for a couple of weeks and still sold out every show. At the conclusion people who are normally pretty reserved were standing and cheering; it was that good. This recording is nice to save for the advent season to play along with your other Christmas music. It brings back a happy event and really brightens things up as you get ready for the Season."

Wonderful recording of wonderful music!

William R. Oliver | Crittenden, KY USA | 02/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The delightful Sanders Family has returned to entertain us once again! After the great success of Smoke on the Mountain, Alan Bailey and Connie Ray outdid themselves with Smoke on the Mountain II, A Sanders Family Christmas. Both plays are very humorous and tuneful, but the only commercial recording of the music in Smoke on the Mountain left much to be desired. That is emphatically not the case for this recording of A Sanders Family Christmas. Using at least some musicicans who have performed the show on stage, this recording captures the enthusiasm and drive of the songs, most of which are old standards with a couple of new (but old-sounding) songs by Alan Bailey. Although there are too many instruments used for this to sound exactly like the stage production, they are played so well they enhance the music greatly. A fine recording; easily worthy of five stars or more."