MIDWINTER GRACES

It was somewhat surprising to see a self described "recovering Christian" put out a mostly Christmas album but it also focuses on the season in general. Not so surprising, my parents had a few Christmas LPs when I was growing up so there's some decent offerings in that genre.

Midwinter Graces is a mixture of original songs with plenty of covers and riffs on of old traditional stuff. Heavy on the strings.

What Child, Nowell - a new take on The First Noel. Star Of Wonder, a nice take on We Three Kings.

A Silent Night With You is one of the first originals that has nothing borrowed from the original song other than "silent night". The bonus edition does have her version of the original.

Candle: Coventry Carol, another cover of something old with Tori's own addition.

Holly, Ivy, And Rose - I believe this is first time where Tori duets with Nataysha Hawley. It's another take on something traditional that eludes me.

Harps Of Gold, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Snow Angel - original.

Jeanette, Isabella - reworked traditional, I can't put my finger on it.

Pink And Glitter - another original, kind of big band jazzy.

Emmanuel - another traditional that I don't recognize.

The regular album wraps up with more two originals: Winter's Carol and Our New Year and for the bonus edition you get two more traditional: Comfort And Joy, Silent Night.

I suspect the album might have gone over well at holiday gatherings if I were to send it back in time, for the most part. Getting on to vinyl would probably be difficult.