Anne Murray's Christmas Album

On her seventh Christmas collection, songstress Anne Murray croons her way through some of the season's most beloved songs. Released in her 63rd year, Anne Murray's Christmas Album (which features five new recordings and ten previously released tracks) rivals holiday compilations from artists half the Canadian songbird's age. Classic numbers such as "Joy to the World" and "Silver Bells" sound as if they were written with no other artist in mind but Murray. On the latter, the singer, backed by a heavenly vocal choir and a silky orchestra, offers up a delightful reading of an ear-pleasing composition that has become as much a part of Christmas as a glass of eggnog and a fire crackling in the hearth. Murray gets in the holiday spirit as she struts her way through a jangly version of "Winter Wonderland" and later lilts beautifully on a soul-piercing cover of "Silent Night." An aching rendition of "Blue Christmas" finds Murray, in a voice as delicate as freshly fallen snow, warming the listener's heart while she gently breaks it at the same time. Curling piano licks bathed in satiny strings float softly around Murray's vocals. Guests on the album include fellow Canadians Michael Bublé and Diana Krall. ~ Todd Sterling