Reviewed by Tony May

Everything a Christmas CD should be. No flash, no showing off, the priority is to bring out the full beauty and spirituality of each song. Having said that, it's good to hear Marilla attempting material that's more demanding than the praise choruses she has usually recorded. Her version of such difficult songs as "O Holy Night" shows that she can take these in her stride with as much ease and grace as the simpler stuff. You know, it has to be yet another 10 out of 10 and I am not apologising. Neither do I get free hols at their country estate on Loch Ness. It's just that I cannot imagine any way to improve the product. If pushed, I might point to a somewhat uneasy performance of "Little Drummer Boy" which I would put down to a slight awareness in Manila's mind that it's quite a daft song. Exemplary backing and soaring over it all one of the most beautiful voices you will ever hear. A rare recording - a Christmas album you'll want to play 12 months of the year.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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