Sarah McLachlan - Wintersong (2006)

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.