Well, if Windham Hill struck out with "Celtic Christmas IV," they made a big comeback with "The Colors Of Christmas." There are some great artists, great standards and a few songs I haven't heard before that are absolutely wonderful!

Opening on a sprightly note is "Peabo Bryson" singing "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," and it definitely gets the album off to a rousing start. Slowing things down a bit, but still sounding great, is "Melissa Manchester" with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." I happen to like this particular Christmas song, and it's interesting to hear the different interpretations. It's amazing how different the Manchester version is from the one by Judy Garland, but they're both wonderful.

"Peabo Brysan" is back with "Born On Christmas Day," a lesser known gospel type song, but very powerful and beautiful. Another newer song, "This Christmas," gets a funky R&B treatment from "Jeffrey Osborne" that makes you want to get up and dance to it. "Oleta Adams" checks in with "The Christmas Song," and "Roberta Flack" gives us her soulful version of "O' Come All Ye Faithful." Another unfamiliar song (at least to me), "The Place Where We Belong," is shared by "Sheena Easton" and "Jeffrey Osbourne." This is one of those duets that just really works.

The requisite "Silent Night" is presented by "Philip Bailey," who has quite a range in his vocals. The first verse is sung in the upper registers, while the song continues with a rich tenor. Regardless, this is one of the few songs on the album that can be outdone by other Christmas CDs hands down. I wasn't familiar with the next track, "Breath Of Heaven (Mary's Song)," but it's a truly beautiful song and "Melissa Manchester's" expressive version only adds to its appeal. "Philip Bailey" is back for the next song, another one I've never heard before, called "Who Would Imagine a King." Whatever was lacking on his version of "Silent Night" is more than made up for on this one! It's a lovely song, and this time Philip's range just makes it even better.

"Roberta Flack" and "Peabo Bryson" join voices for "The Gift." I've heard this before, but not very often, and Flack and Bryson more than do it justice. The album closes with "The Lord's Prayer" done by "Sheena Easton," again a fitting ending to a Christmas album.

I liked "The Colors Of Christmas" because of the variety of songs and interpretations. I especially liked the songs I hadn't heard before, and the way they were mixed with traditional Christmas tunes. "Breath Of Heaven" has to be one of the most beautiful songs I've never heard! I'd say this album is a definite must add to your collection of music for the Season.