Artist: Sarah McLachlan
Label: Verve
Release Date: October 21, 2016
Release Date: October 21, 2016
Duration: 11 tracks, 36:42
Sarah McLachlan, the Grammy winning singer-songwriter-musician, is one
musician with a great love for Christmas and its music. Unlike others who give
it one shot and move on, McLachlan’s Wonderland is her third Christmas offering
following her 2006 Wintersong and 2015 The Classic Christmas Album releases. While
Wintersong contained a mix of standards and more recent offerings (Lennon’s
‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’, Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’ and McLachlan’s own
‘Wintersong’) and The Classic Christmas Album was basically a re-release of
Wintersong with three additional songs including her work with the Sarah
McLachlan School choir), Wonderland displays her love for the traditional
holiday sound. Wonderland is packed with old standards, both pop and hymn composed
for those with updated pallets.
“The Christmas Song” opens with vocals breathy, light, clean and
fresh as the first winter snow. Listen for the Jazz bass mid-way through the
song. A poppier version of the great standard “Let It Snow” has bright keyboard
backing warm vocals while light guitar lays foundation for “White Christmas”.
Emmylou Harris and Martha
Wainwright share vocals with McLachlan on “Go Tell It On
The Mountain” making for a magical sound. Synth and percussion add a new feel
to “Winter Wonderland” contrasting the dramatic strings found in “Huron Carol”.
A soft touch sounds throughout with piano and strings accompanying vocals in
“Silver Bells”. McLachlan’s soaring
vocals punctuate “O Holy Night” to complete the collection.
With her soft, sensual mezzo-soprano vocals and a great love for the
Christmas holidays and all they stand for, McLachlan has once again added a
special sound to our favorite holiday. For those looking to Christmas as a time
to be thankful and full or joy, Wonderland will be the album for this holiday
and many, many more to come.
Scott S Mertens
4 tocks
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