Noel - Danielle Vaughn

What list of musical gift suggestions would be complete without at least one holiday record? The pick this year is by Danielle Vaughn, featuring production by Mark Stephenson. Vaughn, who arranged the songs, mixes traditional Christmas tunes like the ancient "O Come, O Come Immanuel" with her own Christmas songs and medleys of traditional tunes. Vaughn sings and plays piano and acoustic guitar. She is accompanied by Michael Dowdle on guitars, mandolin, keyboards and acoustic guitar; Shawn Miller on guitars and keyboards; and D. Scott Williams on guitar, upright bass and harmonica. The accompaniment ranges from the gentlest piano riff on the hymns to acoustic 12-bar-style blues on "Christmastime Blues." But even when "Noel's" tone turns playful, the message stays sacred. "This album goes down easy, a fine choice for a tree-trimming or present-wrapping party. Vaughn will tickle the fancy of fans of fine female vocalists, and also people who love music with holy holiday spirit." ...Linda East Brady of the Standard Examiner