traditional down to their stockings

Shenandoah Christmas (Capitol Nashville)

Shenandoah

By Michael W. Stout

In an era of over-produced musical pieces (the scale drastically tipping toward Christmas collections), it is as refreshing as a freshly cut pine tree and as pleasing to the ear as a band of carolers to hear a simple, old-fashioned country Christmas collection as that of Shenandoah Christmas. Shenandoah lead singer Marty Raybon wraps crystal clear harmony with twinkling, angelic musical arrangements.

Shenandoah Christmas is a holiday rarity in the fact that all nine of the Yuletide standards included on this ten-carol disc are simply performed in their traditional arrangements. Among these classic holiday tunes are "White Christmas," "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)," "O Little Town Of Bethlehem," "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer," and "O Come All Ye Faithful." The listener is further treated to a new cut titled "There's A Way In The Manger," written by Marty Raybon, Mike Curtis, and Mark Narmore stating, "There's a way in the manger/ For those who are lost/ There's a way in the manger/ And it leads to the Cross."

So grab a glass of eggnog and your Christmas sweetie and snuggle up and warm your heart with Shenandoah Christmas.