Nov 20, 2009
That angelic face! On the cover of Christmas Peace, Solveig (Solveig Leithaug) smiles with innocence and beauty, radiating calm and grace. She embodies Christmas Peace, both visually and musically.
Her voice is an amazing gift. This Norwegian singer is a Dove Award-winning Christian artist who has one of the purest, cleanest voices I have ever heard. No vibrato; Solveig's vocal instrument is all silken gold. So beautiful! And that is the reason why her Christmas Peace is an outstanding holiday release.
This is a low-key affair; if you are looking for high-powered holiday hijinx, look elsewhere. The offering opens with a lovely Norwegian song, Wondrous Invisible Pilgrimage. The album blends familiar carols with Norwegian gems, and the mix is comfortable and uplifting.
Solveig's jazzy treatment of Silent Night, complete with bongos, is sung in German, Norwegian, and English; this is my favorite track. I especially enjoyed Solveig's freestyle bars in the second half. Sweet! Her Tell Me the Story of Jesus has a country vibe, and the syncopated I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day is a kick.
Christmas Peace closes with a warm and wonderful rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, complete with a cool clarinet solo. If the rest of my holiday listening is even half as good as Solveig's fine release, my Christmas will be merry indeed! Excellent!
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2009)
Christmas Peace
From the liner notes:
Executive Producer: Jim Chaffee
Produced by: Steve Hindalong
The Little Big Orchestra arranged and conducted by Tom Howard
Arrangements by: Solveig
All Vocals, All Acoustic Guitars & Gretch Electric Guitar (Silent Night): Solveig
Ken Lewis: Drums & Percussion
Chris Donohus: Electric Bass & Double Bass
Steve Hindalong: Percussion, Chimes & Glockenspiel
Phil Madeira: National Slide Guitar, Hammond B3 Organ & Accordion
Paul Moak: Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel, Mando Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin & Vibes
Marc Byrd: Ambient Guitar
Sam Levine: Clarinet, Flutes & Recorder
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Wondrous Invisible Pilgrimmage |
| What Child Is This? |
| The Cities Are Lit and Festive |
| Away in a Manger |
| My Heart So Dearly Ponders |
| Silent Night |
| Tell Me the Story of Jesus |
| I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day |
| Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming |
| O, Holy Night |
| Hay and Straw |
| Have Yourself a Merrly Little Christmas |
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