Designed to replace the Rebel label’s perennial favorite “Christmas Time Back Home” (now out of print), this wonderful new collection combines a few great old recordings with some brilliant new songs, in a 14-song package that should please any Bluegrass fan. The disc features 3 fine new songs by the Wildwood Valley Boys, CHRISTMAS IN CAROLINE, CHRISTMAS TIME, and WHEN IT’S SNOWING IN THE MOUNTAINS, all well-written and beautifully sung. Another cut that could become a classic is the powerful CHRISTMAS LETTER by North Carolinian Tommy Edwards. There’s a nice CHRISTMAS IN VIRGINIA by the Lost & Found, two fine cuts by Paul Williams, and Ralph Stanley II’s poignant MARY, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Also included are the original classic versions of CHRISTMAS TIME BACK HOME (Country Gentlemen), BEAUTIFUL STAR OF BETHLEHEM (Ralph Stanley) and two great Larry Sparks songs (CHRISTMAS TIME’S A-COMING and BLUE CHRISTMAS). This is a lovely seasonal collection that we can HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
