Christmas Angels [Capitol]

• Artist: Various Artists
• Rating:
• Release Date: November 08, 2005
• Type: Christmas, Collection (various artists), Enhanced CD-ROM
• Genre: Holiday

Review

Capitol Records Nashville opts for an all-female Christmas collection as a means of promoting some of its top distaff country singers (Jamie O'Neal, Deana Carter, Suzy Bogguss, and Tanya Tucker) as well as newcomers like Amber Dotson, who leads things off with a credible version of "Blue Christmas." O'Neal follows with what the press release describes as "a new powerhouse version of 'O Holy Night.'" One should perhaps stop right there and consider whether the world is in need of a new powerhouse version of "O Holy Night." It turns out that what that means is that O'Neal's singing is overdone; she can't seem to stop her throat from emitting needless ejaculations, even during the instrumental passages and when the song is winding down, doing neither herself or the song any good. But that showboating actually helps Jennifer Hanson's comparatively understated "I'll Be Home for Christmas," which follows, work all the better in comparison. Elsewhere, Bethany Dillon sings "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" in an uncomfortably seductive whisper, and Alison Krauss, not a Capitol artist, is roped in for her always welcome romantic plea to Santa, "Shimmy Down the Chimney (Fill Up My Stocking)." It's a girls' night in around the Christmas tree in Nashville, and most of it is fun, even if some of these angels sound like the honky tonk variety. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Blue Christmas	Bill Hayes	Amber Dotson	(3:11)
O Holy Night	Traditional	Jamie O'Neal	(4:05)
I'll Be Home for Christmas	Buck Ram, Kim Gannon, Walter Kent	Jennifer Hanson	(3:18)
Shimmy Down the Chimney (Fill Up My Stocking)	Alison Krauss, Viktor Krauss	Alison Krauss	(4:21)
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas	Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane	Cyndi Thomson	(3:24)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen	Traditional	Bethany Dillon	(3:31)
Do You Hear What I Hear	Noel Regney, Gloria Shayne	Nichole Nordeman	(3:51)
Two-Step 'Round the Christmas Tree	Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider	Suzy Bogguss	(2:40)
Boogie Woogie Santa	Chris Farren, Deana Carter	Deana Carter	(4:15)
Winter Wonderland	Felix Bernard	Tanya Tucker	(6:22)

Credits

Jerry Douglas (Dobro), Alison Krauss (Harmony Vocals), Suzy Bogguss (Vocals (Background)), Suzy Bogguss (Producer), John Jorgenson (Guitar (Electric)), Joe Chemay (Bass), Larry Byrom (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jimmy Carter (Bass), J.T. Corenflos (Guitar (Electric)), Chad Cromwell (Drums), Jerry Crutchfield (Producer), Gabe Dixon (Keyboards), Dan Dugmore (Pedal Steel), Stuart Duncan (Fiddle), Carlos "Budd" Ford (Choir, Chorus), Ben Fowler (Mixing), Rodney Good (Choir, Chorus), Rodney Good (Producer), Rodney Good (Engineer), Rodney Good (Mixing), Kevin Grantt (Bass), Owen Hale (Drums), Stephen Hanks (Choir, Chorus), Tony Harrell (Keyboards), John Hobbs (Keyboards), Jim Hoke (Reeds), Lance Hoppen (Bass), Lance Hoppen (Vocals), Byron House (Bass (Upright)), Julian King (?), Tim Kish (Engineer), Larry Knight (Guitar (Electric)), Viktor Krauss (Bass (Electric)), Viktor Krauss (Producer), Viktor Krauss (Harmony Vocals), Waldo LaTowsky (Drums), Waldo LaTowsky (Vocals (Background)), Paul Leim (Drums), Steve Marcantonio (Engineer), Randy McCormick (Piano), J.R. McNeely (Mixing), Greg Morrow (Percussion), Greg Morrow (Drums), Gordon Mote (Piano), Melissa Murphy (Choir, Chorus), Pat Murphy (Choir, Chorus), Shawn Pelton (Drums), Tom Perry (Engineer), Tom Perry (Mixing), Mike Poole (Engineer), Carmella Ramsey (Harmony Vocals), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Joe Rogers (Design), Steve Rosen (Piano), Steve Rosen (Vocals (Background)), Paul Scholten (Drums), Lisa Silver (Vocals (Background)), Cheryl White (Harmony Vocals), Marty Williams (Engineer), John Willis (Guitar (Acoustic)), Glenn Worf (Bass), Jonathan Yudkin (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jonathan Yudkin (Bass), Jonathan Yudkin (Fiddle), Jonathan Yudkin (Mandolin), Jonathan Yudkin (Violin), Jonathan Yudkin (Cello), Jonathan Yudkin (Harp), Jonathan Yudkin (Viola), Curtis Young (Vocals), Chris Farren (Vocals (Background)), Russell Terrell (Vocals (Background)), Deana Carter (Vocals), Pat McGrath (Guitar (Acoustic)), Pat McGrath (Guitar (12 String Acoustic)), Jason Lehning (Engineer), Jason Lehning (Mixing), Vinnie Ciesielski (Trumpet), Vinnie Ciesielski (Flugelhorn), Steve Ledet (Engineer), Jamie Tate (Mixing), Mark Nesler (Producer), Roy Agee (Trombone), Troy Lancaster (Guitar (Electric)), A.J. Derrick (Engineer), T.W. Cargile (Mixing), Ed Cash (Guitar (Acoustic)), Ed Cash (Arranger), Ed Cash (Guitar (Electric)), Ed Cash (Vocals (Background)), Ed Cash (Producer), Ed Cash (Engineer), Ed Cash (Mixing), Scotty Sanders (Pedal Steel), Jamie O'Neal (Choir, Chorus), Jamie O'Neal (Producer), Jennifer Hanson (Vocals (Background)), Jennifer Hanson (Producer), Joanna Carter (Art Direction), Joanna Carter (Cover Painting), Calvin Turner (Bass), Ben Shive (Keyboards), Ben Shive (Fender Rhodes), Dana Good (Choir, Chorus), Bob Angello (Guitar (Acoustic)), Bob Angello (Guitar (Steel)), Bob Angello (Vocals (Background)), Michelle Hall (Art Producer), Craig Headen (Engineer), Denise Arguijo (Art Producer), Brianna Ford (Choir, Chorus), P.T. Houston (Engineer), Phil O'Donnell (Guitar (Acoustic)), Phil O'Donnell (Producer), Brent Roman (Guitar (Electric)), Josh Robinson (Drums)