Search - Various Artists :: 25th December: Christmas Celebration of Women

Eclectic but mellow collection

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 09/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded at various dates between 1987 and 1997, this unusual compilation is a mix of pop, rock, country and folk music. With six of the twelve artists represented being country acts (if you include Nicolette Larson as country), you might think country is the most strongly represented, but none of them are traditional country - they all have elements of pop, rock or folk in their music. Five of the six country recordings were originally made for the charity, Stars come out for Christmas.



The set opens with the Roches' distinctive cover of Deck the halls, not as upbeat as I'm used to hearing it, but it works well. Next comes the much under-rated Nicolette Larson with Christmas is a time for give. The title track is an original song by Everything but the girl, the duo of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt. Carrie and Wendy Wilson (daughters of the famous Beach Boy, Brian Wilson) do a fine version of Let it snow. Pat Benatar is in top form doing a bluesy version of Please come home for Christmas. Kim Carnes does a fine mid-tempo cover of Run run Rudolph. The remaining tracks all feature country singers except Karla Bonoff, brilliant on Everybody's home tonight. Of the country acts, my favorite is Highway 101, with Paulette Carlson, providing a superb version of the under-recorded It came upon the midnight clear. Holly Dunn, Juice Newton are also in peak form on their songs. The album closes with the relatively unknown McCarters (a folk-country trio) singing Noel.



Some but not all of these tracks can be found elsewhere. If you are looking for a mellow but eclectic Christmas album, this will suit you - if you can find it."