Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

To go with the Operation Christmas Child Roadshow (see the Nia article in CR 46), our favourite Welsh lady singer/songwriter has given us this eleven track album, which is a mix of classic carols, recent Christmas songs and self-penned items, and jolly good it is too. "Silent Night" and "Away In A [ Manger" go well together as waltzy medley, "Hark The Herald I Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful" get the pop treatment, and Maldwyn Pope joins in with his voice and his funky keyboards on "The First Nowel". The modern | songs are Michael Card's "The Final Word" (and Mr Card wouldn't have any complaints about her reading of his classic), along with "Grown-Up Christmas List", probably my least favourite Christmas song, but again beautifully sung; and there are five Nia originals, all of which are free of sentimental cliches and registering zero on the Christmas Cringe-ometer. Much of the stuff shoved out by record companies at this time of the year would benefit greatly from instant oblivion; "Christmas Child" is a notable exception. Shell out some of your hard earned shekels and help a worthy cause, at the same time. Recommended.

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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