This is a lovely Christmas album with beautiful singing throughout. Be prepared for the fact that its a rather schizoid album, though, with different styles throughout (much like Ronstadt's career, as a matter of fact!)

The first four songs are arranged much like Linda's Nelson Riddle albums and shine beautifully - the duet with Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" especially glows. Only "Have Yourself A Merry Christmas" jarred a bit, with Ronstadt turning up the volume and belting a bit too strenuously on a tune that doesn't really need it that much.

Joni Mitchell's "River" is included - its got a Christmas-time background, but isn't really a Christmas song. I'm glad its included, though, both because I've always loved it, and because Ronstadt does such a fine, assured job with it. First-class!

The real reason to buy the cd in my opinion is the concluding section, though. Ronstadt does a version of "I Wonder As I Wander" that sent shivers up my spine, and they stayed there for the rest of the cd, as one exquisite example of choral singing followed another. Linda sort of retreats into the background and blends in with the chorus, but the sheer beauty of the singing will leave you stunned. I was a bit disappointed with one thing: an early pre-release listing of the songs I saw included "In the Bleak Midwinter", one of my very favorite Christmas carols, and its unfortunately nowhere to be found. I'd looked forward to it, but its a small disappointment with what would be a wonderful addition to anyone's collection of holiday music. Great job, Linda!

This cd features beautiful singing by Linda Ronstadt throughout, but be aware that after track five, (with the exception of I Wonder As I Wander) the voice that you may be used to - warm, big and belty, disappears. From that point on Linda steps out of the spotlight and displays her soprano as an understated member of the choir. The musical selections and arrangements are inspired and the vocals are flawless, but if you're expecting Silent Night with an acoustic guitar and three part harmony you might be surprised. She does serve up some tasty "Nelson Riddle style" treats on the first half of the cd, including a gentle duet with Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" and a powerful version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Joni Mitchell's classic "River" gets a pretty treatment, but stays too close to the surface for my taste . All in all, the generous talents of Linda Ronstadt are on full display and that will certainly "help to make the season bright".

Linda Ronstadt has been something of a musical chemeleon over the course of her 20+ year career: she has done everything from operetta ("The Pirates of Penzance") to traditional Mexican music, from country-rock to light standards. With the release of a holiday album, Ronstadt brings her clear, rich soprano to popular Christmas standards and haunting, lesser-known choral pieces. The results, of course, are brilliant. Whether the heartwarming duet with the legendary Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" or Ronstadt's confident stride up her high register with "Lo How A Rose 'Ere Blooming," this recording showcases the versatility of a voice that has never been afraid to tackle the road less traveled. Listen to the beautiful duet between Ronstadt (on soprano) and an alto on the affecting "Xicochi Xicochi," and the haunting "Welsh Carol," in which Ronstadt takes a solo mid-way through. It is interesting to note that, throughout the chorale pieces, Ronstadt takes the soprano parts, hitting notes that most of her contemporaries in popular music would shy away from. This ability is a showcase for Ronstadt's boundry-crossing talent in any type of music she chooses. The beautiful renditions of these songs separate and elevate her musicality from that of so many popular singers, who too often choose dramatic embellishment to cover their own limitations. Rondstadt seems to have no musical limitations, and her heartfelt rendering of these pieces, illuminated with the clear power of her vocals, is refreshing and worth a permanent spot in anyone's Christmas music collection.

Ronstadt fans rejoice! Finally America's most thrilling pop voice has put together a stunning Christmas collection. Her sultry belt is perfect on seasonal favorites like THE CHRISTMAS SONG and HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. She delivers a trip down memory lane with Rosemary Clooney on WHITE CHRISTMAS. Her cover of RIVER will make Joni Mitchell proud. But the last 8 cuts will stun and surprise. Ronstadt's trilling soprano has never sounded better. AWAY IN A MANGER is heavenly and LO, HOW A ROSE E'RE BLOOMING brought a tear to this listeners eye with it's harmonic beauty. In a time when pop stars are cranking out over-produced Christmas drivel, Linda Ronstadt has given us a Christmas Classic.

Let me begin by saying that this is now one of my favorite Christmas CDs. I actually bought it a couple of years ago and must say that it was not what I expected. Well, that's not quite true. The first four songs were EXACTLY what I expected.
Ms. Ronstadt gives both The Christmas Song and I'll Be Home for Christmas very cozy treatments. She may as well be standing in your living room next to the fireplace and singing right to you and yours. White Christmas is a lovely addition due to the fact that Linda sings it with Rosemary Clooney (who better?). Linda embellishes Rosie's lovely burnished vocals and the end result is one of my favorite renditions of the venerable standard.

The gears begin to shift with Joni Mitchell's River. I've heard this lovely song before but not in a Christmas setting (Holly Cole and Dianne Reeves both have strong versions). The lyrics only make a passing reference to Christmas but it works well here. Christmas albums don't often include songs dealing with the meloncholy aspect of the Holidays. This song gives this collection that chance. After River, a touching selection dealing with lost love, the album slides into sacred mode.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel has Linda prominently featured along with a Tuscon choir. Xicochi, Xiochi is actually arranged by Linda and has Kris Karge providing a lovely harmony vocal.

The next two songs, I Wonder As I Wander and Away in a Manger, are credited to "The Choir from Los Angeles" and do not feature Ms. Ronstadt -- at least according to the liner notes. I Wonder As I Wander does not appear on Christmas collections enough so I really appreciate its inclusion here. Away in a Manger has a Richard White adaptation and arrangement that is different than the two versions I am familiar with. I enjoy it quite a bit.

The next five songs are credited to "Linda and the Choir from Tuscon". She sings along with the choir and her voice is not easily distinguishable from the rest of the choir. These final five songs are: Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming (also not heard enough on holiday recordings -- at least in my book), Welsh Carol, Past Three O'clock, O Magnum Mysterium, and Silent Night. All are incredibly lovely and very well done.

My only critisism of the album is that Linda's voice is not prominently featured on most of the sacred selections. She is the reason I bought the CD after all. Never the less, this has grown into one of my favorite collections of holiday songs. I highly recommend it.