Away In The Manger kicks off the CD, and the acoustic guitar intro is absolutely beautiful. Patty's vocals seem to just roll through this one, that hitch in her voice flows from one word to the next. The mandolin, mandola, fiddle, bass and guitar are the only instruments to accompany Patty, and her voice is just an extension of those, or maybe the other way around.

Silent Night is the next song, and she is backed up by Claire Lynch and Trisha Yearwood, two voices that blend with hers so spectacularly, it is too bad they don't record every song together. Once again Patty just flows vocally with this one, it is hard to describe, but just think of floating. Get under the headphones, lay back, close your eyes go.

Joy To The World is probably more vocally active harmony wise, as Patty is backed up by Jon Randall, and Emmylou Harris. They all work well together on this one, as they blend and follow through the verses. This one leads into my favorite, or should I say one of my favorites. And, I cannot wait to put a small clip up for you to sample.

Carol Of The Bells done with mandolins, and after hearing that, just change it to Carol of the Mandolins. WOW! This is just something you have to hear to say, WOW! yourself. I may make this one the next sneak peak. This is pure delight as the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble take over for the album for this song.

The First Noel, Patty is once again backed up by Claire Lynch and Trisha Yearwood, and accompanied by the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. This has never been a real favorite of mine in the past, always kind of over done. But, the three of them pull this off quite nicely, and I won't be skipping over this one.

Little Drummer Boy has Rebecca Lynn Howard doing the duet thing with Patty. Rebecca Lynn is an extremely talented singer, and she and Patty go well together. This one seems to have Rebecca's vocals more out front than Patty's, almost as if Patty is accompanying her. Beautiful voices, beautifully done and the recorder and wind chimes are a nice treat, kind of a trip back to Ireland.

Silver Bells has Vince Gill finally showing back up on one of her albums. Also, Amy Grant helps in the background vocals along with Vince. And, Vince gives an appearance on the mandolin for this one. Once again Patty and Vince create some magic with their singing.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem has the barest of instruments, the guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass and baritone guitar. Now, I like this song, but for me it has a small glich. Maybe it is just the way I hear it, maybe my hearing is off, but she seems to struggle ever so slightly with a few of the high notes. As she takes off, there is this, well almost a push to hit it. Not that effortless soar that I have heard in the past, but like I said, it may be my hearing.

Christmas Time's A Comin' has Patty shaking those sleigh bells, along with Carmella Ramsey and Tim Hensley singing background vocals. This is the most upbeat on the album to this point, and a very enjoyable one. Deanie Richardson plays lead fiddle, Carmella on harmony fiddle and Tim on mandolin. Kind of nice to hear them all together again.

Santa Train is written by Patty and Emory. This one is just too cool, and another favorite. A song about the Santa Train that goes through the hills of Kentucky each holiday season, Patty captures the child's spirit and excitement of the train coming. She plays the train whistle on this one, and the fiddle by Deanie sounds like a train whistle at times, pretty cool. But, what really rocks for me is the background vocals by the Pips Carmella Ramsey and Tim Hensley. Remember Midnight Train To Georgia and the Pips doing the oooooo ooooo's. This is a terrific song, Patty you need to write more.

Christmas Day At My House, written by Patty and Emory is also an upbeat song. Carmella and Tim sing background once again, and if you want to go somewhere for Christmas, go to Patty's. Sounds like she has one worth crashing, just don't get caught, and don't say I suggested it. Another well written song, simple in its lyrics and that is what makes it just right.

Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem is in memory of Gene Wooten, and what can I say about the finest vocal arrangement Patty has put together. Carmella and Jon Randall join her and this is one of the best she has done. Think back to the Opry Christmas show, and you get the idea.

Bluegrass, White Snow written by, well who else Patty and Emory. This one has Dolly Parton and Ricky Skaggs backing her up, and what a treat that is. Just sit back and enjoy is about all I can say to this one.

To give you an idea how good this is, here is a little story. My parents the wandering nomads, or the moochers as I fondly call them, have returned for a visit. The last time here, they had seen Patty on the David Letterman show singing Never Leave Harlan, and much to my surprise they liked it. Now, they have never really been Patty fans, but Mountain Soul has converted them, and I gave them an extra copy I had floating around of that CD.  Well, I told them what they were hearing was Patty's new Christmas CD, and my mom said without skipping a beat, "can I have a copy." Being the dutiful, kind and loving daughter that I am, I told them to buy their own *&%#$ copy, leave mine be and get out. They and Jess, Mr. Sulu and the little rabid Patty fan that lives here will have to pry this copy from my cold dead fingers.