Various Artists - A Windham Hill Christmas, Vol. 2

Following in the footsteps of the previous collection, A Windham Hill Christmas, Vol. 2 gathers more relaxing, sophisticated holiday music as performed by Windham Hill's roster of artists. The collection finds the right balance between traditional and contemporary, both in terms of its sound and its choice of songs. Will Ackerman and David Cullen's "I Wonder as I Wander" sounds gently modern, while Paul McCandless' "In Dulci Jubilo" has a slightly more traditional bent. Tracy Silverman and Thea Suits' strings and flute interpretation of "Away in a Manger" mixes both approaches and is breathtaking in its lovely simplicity. Most of the performances here, including Barbara Higbie's "Patapan," suggest pristine snowscapes or, in the case of Jim Brickman's "The First Noel," the warmth of a hearth, but Steve Erquiaga's "Joy to the World" may be the first rendition of the carol that sounds downright sunny. Tracks by Richard Schönherz, Alex de Grassi, and Tim Story and George Winston's "Silver Bells" complete the album, which like A Windham Hill Christmas, makes a lovely, subtle soundtrack to the holidays. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alex de Grassi Guitar, Producer, Arranger, Engineer Barbara Higbie Piano, Violin, Producer, Arranger, Dulcimer (Hammer), Synthesizer, Celtic Harp Bill Esses Engineer Brian Dunning Accordion, Arranger, Engineer, Penny Whistle, Flute Carl Story & the Rambling Mountaineers Photography Chris Bellman Mastering Corin Nelsen Mixing David Cullen Guitar, Arranger, Keyboards, Bass David Rose Photography David Ross Photography Dawn Atkinson Compilation Producer, Mixing, Producer Eddie King Engineer George Winston Soloist, Producer, Arranger, Guitar Howard Johnston Engineer, Mixing, Producer Irene Young Photography Jim Brickman Piano, Producer, Arranger John Dillberto Liner Notes Jon Marsh Engineer Justin Lieberman Assistant Kimberly Bryden Oboe Liz Story Arranger, Piano Martha Reikow Cello Michael Manring Fretless Bass Mo Ström Design Neil Harris Mixing Nina Gerber Guitar (Acoustic) Patrick Hinely Photography Paul McCandless Keyboards, Horn (English), Arranger, Oboe, Producer Philip Aaberg Engineer, Editing, Producer, Overdubs, Arranger, Piano (Grand) Ray Katchatorian Photography Richard Schultz Photography Richard Schönerz Producer, Keyboards, Percussion Programming, Engineer, Arranger Rob Atkins Photography Steve Erquiaga Engineer, Arranger, Guitar (Nylon String), Producer Thea Suits-Silverman Flute Tim Story Piano, Engineer, Arranger, Producer, Synthesizer Todd Phillips Bass Tracy Silverman Viola, Engineer, Producer, Keyboards, Arranger, Violin (Electric), Violin Will Ackerman Guitar (Baritone), Arranger, Producer, Native American Drums William Coulter Guitar