This CD is the second in Chip Davis' series of Christmas music. It was released on CD in 1990 but has a timeless feel. A combination of electronica and traditional instruments breathes new life into eleven Christmas standards, and Davis even writes an original song for one lone fan who requested it. This and the "Christmas" CD (also by Manheim Steamroller) have made their mark on American Christmas music, as their tracks are periodically used in holiday advertisements. So if some of the songs sound familiar, now you know why.

Some people (myself including myself) listen to this music year round, as it's just as good for relaxing as it is for creating a warm holiday atmosphere. It's all round splendid music.

Track three, which is "Veni, Veni". It's "O Come O Come, Emmanuel" sung in Latin, which even with its laces of electronics evokes images of being in a cathedral for a Christmas service. It's a dazzling vocal performance.

do anything holiday-related but especially get back into performing in holiday concerts, something I did almost all the time when I was in school.

comfortable and at home. It helps me forget all the holiday stress!

the focus is on the musical arrangements and not the person performing/creating them. Chip Davis lets the music speak for itself.

My father has older versions of this CD, and I've encountered the songs are a bit soft volume-wise on older CDs. I'm not sure if newer editions have been digitally enhanced to increase the volume. Thus, you may want to turn up the volume on this CD if you're interested in hearing all the nuances.

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Created Nov 27, 2005 at 1:14pm • Submit your own review...