Album Notes

During a recent Holiday Season, I found myself with very little desire to participate in the Christmas celebration, due to certain situations in my life that seemed to be making it less than perfect. Reflecting on this, I searched my memory for a vision of some "perfect" Christmas from my past. I called on my imagination to conjure up a future Christmas that might be better than any I had experienced in real life. I did not find any one perfect Christmas, but I stumbled on a truth I would like to share with you . . . Christmases past provide priceless memories of Holidays shared with family and friends. Christmases future hold beautiful promises of happiness and perfection. But the very best Christmas of all is "Christmas present," because it is made up of all our loveliest memories and dreams! I hope these songs will enhance your "Christmas Present" by awakening heartwarming memories of Holidays past and renewing a childlike faith in Christmases to come.

I simply can not imagine Christmas without music. Maybe we could pull off a Christmas celebration without a tree . . . without packages and bows. But, as far as I'm concerned, if there is no Christmas music, there is no Christmas. Christmas songs resound around the world this time of year.

In this album I have included some of my favorite Christmas music to reflect different aspects of the Season. There are beautiful carols that touch the soul with messages of religious history and spiritual renewal. These include "O Holy Night," "Silent Night," "Let's Make a Baby King," "The Prayer" and "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem."

Some Christmas songs are an invitation to party with Santa Claus, elves, decorated trees and all the wonders of the Season ("Rockin Around the Christmas Tree," "Santa Baby," and "Let It Snow").

Others are heartwarming Christmas songs that speak of family bonds, Holiday tradition, love and the spirit of giving. ("My Grown Up Christmas List," "Blue Christmas," "Pretty Paper," "Merry Christmas Darling," and "Once Upon A December")