Sarah McLachlan is one of today's most beautiful and expressive vocal talents. Her music has long held a balance between alternative folk rock and adult-contemporary pop, tempering the former with softness while adding edge to the latter. On WINTERSONG, her first holiday endeavor, McLachlan paints a wintry landscape that stays true to form, with melodies that are dreamy yet bittersweet. Her voice, with its whispery softness that is occasionally cracked by a yearning soprano and a lilt that recalls Irish "sean-nos" singing, sounds gorgeous on this release, fitting well with the material. Long time producer Pierre Marchand fills the album with arrangements that break from the norm, like a rendition of "What Child is This?" that uses a waltzing minor key version of the melody and velvety smooth vocals. Another highlight is her rendition of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time is Here," with guest Diana Krall.

Total Time: 45:45
TRACK TITLE TIME
1 Happy Xmas (War Is Over) 3:28
2 What Child Is This? (Greensleeves) 3:30
3 River 4:02
4 Wintersong 3:31
5 I'll Be Home For Christmas 3:14
6 O Little Town of Bethlehem 3:50
7 The First Noel / Mary Mary 4:59
8 Silent Night 3:48
9 Song For A Winter's Night 3:48
10 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 3:43
11 In the Bleak Midwinter 3:46
12 Christmas Time Is Here (feat. Diana Krall)4:01