Review of A Family Christmas
a Putumayo Production
November 16, 2009
by Our Kids

Sweet Christmas songs that warm your heart!

If you're looking to start or enhance your holiday music collection, Putumayo Kids' latest CD, A Family Christmas is a must-have! This CD offers a comprehensive selection of traditional holiday favorites with a twist by some very impressive recording artists.

We played the CD on a road trip this past weekend and it was a hit with all four reviewers. Not only is A Family Christmas kid-friendly, the music is also very appealing to adults. Seattle-based Johnny Bregar opens the CD with an acoustic version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Several instrumental versions of songs (Sleigh Ride and Jolly Old St. Nick) had the OK interns guessing at what instruments were being played and introduced them to the enjoyment of a song "without words."

Is Zat You Santa Claus?, originally made popular by jazz legend Louis Armstrong is performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and boy do they add an eccentric flair to the piece. This version reminds us of "The Grinch" meets "Big Band" and it works. Our favorite track is Here We Come A-Wassailing, performed by Kate Rusby. Her soulful, sweet voice brings a breath of fresh air into this classic winter melody. We've played this tune over and over. I love Christmas music - but listening to the OK interns singing along to this song tops it all.

Other songs on the CD include Holly Jolly Christmas, Let It Snow, Winter Wonderland, Mele Kalikimaka, Boogie Woogie Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman. When you purchase the CD, be sure to read the insert as it offers a short story about each song and artist in English, Spanish and French.

For more information about A Family Christmas, visit the Putumayo Kids website. Click here to listen to a sample of each of the songs before purchasing. A Family Christmas retails for $14.98 and makes a perfect stocking stuffer for this holiday season.