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Wintersong | 
 enlarge | Creator: Sarah Mclachlan
Category: Music
List Price: $18.49
Buy New: $8.24
You Save: $10.25 (55%)
New (3) Used (2) from $8.24
Rating:  1 reviews
Sales Rank: 162300
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 067003062121
EAN: 0067003062121
ASIN: B000J3F7F6
Release Date: October 17, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
An album like this could cement Sarah McLachlan as a middle-of-the-road crooner ready for the Andy Williams Christmas Show, but there's more beneath the surface of Wintersong than just Christmas chestnuts, over-roasting on an open fire. Longtime McLachlan producer Pierre Marchand blurs the borders with ambient sound effects, distorted guitars, and subtle echoes. He adds a Mark Isham-esque muted trumpet solo emerging out of reverse echoes on "I'll Be Home for Christmas" as if viewing the song through a distorted mirror. Violins that sound like they're being blown through a Leslie speaker combine unpredictably with a banjo on "O Little Town of Bethlehem." And on the seventh song, McLachlan finally kicks the album into another gear, turning "The First Noel" into a storming entreaty backed by tribal drums and surging low strings. Her voice is like the serene angel amidst the raging storm. I wish McLachlan had taken more chances like this, instead of the subtle framing she employs around melodies that remain true to form. Surprisingly, the more contemporary songs by John Lennon, Joni Mitchell, and Gordon Lightfoot are the least inventive. Her reading of Mitchell's incandescently wistful "River" is overly faithful to the original, and Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" sounds like karaoke, right down to the Spector-esque production and children's choir. But given that Lennon's prayer for peace still remains unanswered, that fidelity could be intentional. Regardless, this is familiar Christmas fare delivered in an intimate and ethereal fashion that will satisfy those who believe in the nostalgic spirit of the season. --John Diliberto
Album Description
Sarah McLachlan 3-time Grammy and 8-time Juno Award-winning multi-platinum McLachlan, who has sold over 30 million records around the world, usher in the spirit of the season with the release of her first holiday album, Winstersong recorded in her home studio in Vancouver, Sarah McLachlan presents these classic songs on Winstersong with a unique twist, making them her own and translating them into her repertoire. These recordings are not simply traditional holiday fare. Instead, Winstersong could be considered the soundtrack to a blustery winter day. The album opens with her version of John Lennon's timeless declaration of peace from 1971, "Happy Xmas (War is Over)." John and Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band originally recorded the song with the Harlem Community Choir, and Sarah is also joined by a choral group -- a children's choir of students from the music school she personally funds and oversees in her hometown of Vancouver. Another highlight of the new album is Sarah's version of "River" from Joni Mitchell's 1971 Blue album ("It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees..."). The title track Wintersong was written by Sarah specifically for this album. On this recording, she also pays homage to Gordon Lightfoot with his 1975 "Song For A Winter's Night." From the American standard songbook, Sarah has chosen "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." The program is rounded out with the traditional "What Child Is This (Greensleeves)," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Silent Night," the classically flavored "In A Bleak Mid Winter," and a medley of "The First Noel/ Mary Mary." In addition, Wintersong features guest appearances from Diana Krall on piano on "Christmas Time Is Here" from the 1965 Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon and fellow Canadian Jim Creegan of Barenaked Ladies guests on double bass throughout the album.
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| Customer Reviews:
Dreamy Winter Moods December 25, 2006
Rebecca Johnson (Washington State)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Sarah McLachlan's voice has never sounded as dreamy as on this compilation, infused with delicate winter melodies of comforting warmth.
Her new take on "What Child is This" is surprisingly refreshing and she gives new appeal to many classic renditions to capture your awareness of the intrinsic beauty contained in each song.
"River" is filled with romantic longing and desires for simpler times..."I wish I had a river I could skate away on..." This song brings out the ecstasy in Sarah's voice. The blending of modern and classic songs works fairly well because Sarah maintains the mood with soft soothing vocals and highlights of music that never overwhelm the mood.
"In a Bleak Mid Winter" has acoustic elements and lyrics setting a modern yet romantic mood. The final track is breathless and compliments all the elements of this album as the mood is set for listening to this again and again.
The entire album makes you want to get out some eggnog cookies and apple cider and read a cozy novel or write Christmas cards. A winter candle may be essential...a fireplace or fireplace DVD...most definitely!
~The Rebecca Review
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