Songs of the Season (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Steve Gibson (acoustic guitar); Janet Darnall, Janet Darnall, Carl Gorodetzky (violin); Keith Nicholas (cello); David Hungate (bass guitar); Diane Vanette, Sheri Huffman, Sherilyn Huffman, Diane Vanette (background vocals); Pat Bergeson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica); Dan Dugmore (acoustic guitar, dobro); Brent Mason (electric guitar); Larry Franklin (mandolin, fiddle); Connie Ellisor, Karen Winkelmann, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , Alan Umstead, Catherine Umstead, Cate Myer (violin); Bruce Christensen, Kristin Wilkinson, Jim Grosjean, Gary VanOsdale (viola); Kirsten Cassel, John Catchings, Carole Rabinowitz-Neuen (cello); Nashville String Machine (strings); Shane Keister (piano, electric piano); Casey Wood (electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano, vibraphone, cymbals, shaker, tambourine, triangle, bells, sleigh bell); Tony Harrell (Fender Rhodes piano, harmonium); Paul Leim (drums); Lisa Silver, Ann McCrary, Wes Hightower, Regina McCrary (background vocals); The Cherry Sisters.

Audio Mixer: Kyle Lehning.

Recording information: Blackbird Studio D., Nashville, TN; Starstruck, Nashville, TN; Stepbridge Studio B, Santa Fe, NM; The Compound And The Insanery, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: Eric Swanson .

Arranger: Randy Travis.

With his deep, buttery voice and heart-breaking twang, Randy Travis could recite golf scores and make it sound soulful, so listeners are in for a treat on this 2007 collection of holiday classics and originals done up country-style. As on his pervious Christmas album from 1989, the new songs are as good as the chestnuts. The stand-outs here include a poignant "First Noel" and the jolly shuffle "Nothing's Gonna Bring Me Down (At Christmas Time)." minimize