I have been a music lover since 4 decades, have thousands and thousands of albums, including about 300 christmas albums. By chance i ran into this album. I was intrigued by its title and cover and remembered having read positvely about jane siberry. On returning home I played it immediately. As it is a double cd with some known, but mostly unknown songs, it takes a while to absorb it all as some songs are so brilliant and brilliantly performed. So I just played it a few times in a row, playing songs I immediately liked a few times over and over again. The album has so many pleasant surprises and is a gem. One just needs time to discover it. It's a live recording, the atmosphere is so great: full of joy, intensity, craftsmanship and beauty. Songs are different, come from various sources and cultures. The band of musicians and singers is just outstanding. At times the record is moving and at other times you just want to join in. Jane also reads out a few short lyrics/poems in between. I play this album so very often, and even during other months of the year.
It ranks among my top 5 christmas albums of all time together with: The Phil Spector Christmas Album; Christmastide by Jessye Norman, Weihnachtsoratorium by JS Bach amd Christmas by Bruce Cockburn. Whenever you come across this album buy it immediately. I gave a few of my friends this album for Christmas and they all love it very much. I can't find another copy here anymore, here being Holland where I live. If I could I would have bought more copies to give as gifts to friends. This is a christmas album to have and cherish. If you like slick, mediocre and predictable music you'd better buy a Celine Dion record;-)