Bluegrass & White Snow: A Mountain Christmas

Amazon.com

O Santa, where art thou? Patty Loveless’s big voice almost upstages such stately hymns here as “Away in a Manager” and “Silent Night.” That said, this is one of 2002’s most satisfying Christmas albums regardless of genre. Rich with harmony vocals and deft acoustic instrumentation, the CD shines bright with unexpected arrangements (“Little Drummer Boy” sounds like an old-time country tune transplanted to Ireland), while words cannot describe the simply beautiful sounds of “Carol of the Bells” and “Silver Bells,” rendered with fiddles, Dobro, strumming guitars, and spirited singing. Spread the joy and buy a couple extra for the in-laws and neighbors. –Martin Keller