What a Wonderful Christmas (CD - 2001)

Personnel includes: Anne Murray (vocals); Bob Mann (acoustic & electric guitars); Bob Lucier (guitar, pedal steel guitar); Aidan Mason, Michael Francis (guitar); Vern Dorge (saxophone); Doug Riley (piano, organ);

Jack Lenz (piano, electric piano, keyboards); Brian Gatto (electric piano); Steve Sexton (keyboards); Peter Bleakney, Tom Szczesniak (bass); Gary Craig, Barry Keane (drums); Brian Barlow (percussion); Canadian Brass; The London Symphony Orchestra.

Producers include: Tommy West, Anne Murray, Jim Ed Norman, Steve Sexton.

Recorded at Metalworks Studios, Mississuaga, Ontario; Eastern Sound and Manta Sound, Toronto, Canada.

Anne Murray's two-disc companion CD to 1999's WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD and follow-up to her 1995 MY XMAS FAVORITES album features the hardy Canadian singer in top form on a collection of popular Christmas classics with full orchestral accompaniment. Her clear, pure voice is well-suited to a set that embraces both "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." She conjures traditional visions of good cheer with her "Santa Medley" which takes us through a plethora of Santa-related material, including "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and of course, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."

There's a jazzy version of "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," and several nice renditions of "The Coventry Carol" (the best is by a brass quintet). Of course, the highlight is the bittersweet "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," a song which conjures both the joy and sadness of this double-edged season. minimize