Search - Gretchen Peters :: Northern Lights

An Unearthly Glow

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 02/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gretchen Peters included a Christmas card with this release saying that she produced this CD with Barry Walsh in their living room. She wanted to make music that after a crazy day of malls and holiday madness, one could come home and have a glass of wine near the fire. The description suits the music well. The set opens with Gordon Lightfoot's "Song for a Winter's Night" with a wispy melody and Peters' voice grazing her upper register, "If I could only have you near to breathe a sigh or two, I would be happy just to hold the hands I love on this winter night with you." "The Coventry Carol" is a traditional carol given a relaxed, contemplative treatment. Gretchen's lovely vocals soar & dip with a Celtic flavor on "I Wonder as I Wander," "...Or all of God's angels in heaven to sing, he surely could have it 'cause he was the king." "December Child" is one of three original compositions on the disc, "A baby in a manger born, so early on a Christmas morn; The angels sing; The heavens smile & here you are, December child." It's a lovely melody. Peters penned the country loping melody "Waitin' on Mary" in 1993, which comes to disc on this set. Her other original is the title track with Peters' lovely vocals soaring and then coming to earth, "High in the sky there's an unearthly glow like a miracle sent to delight us below." "Angels We Have Heard On High" gets a jumped-up jazzy treatment renamed "Charlie's Angels." Will Kimbrough & Kim Richey's "Careful How You Go" shines as Peters caresses the melody like a favorite friend. Peters' lovely holiday disc sweetens the atmosphere for a cozy evening. Enjoy!"