How could you not expect an excellent Christmas album from a guy who’s last name is “Emmanuel”, meaning “God with us”? The six picker from Down Under strums a delightful mix of Yuletide moods accompanied by fellow picker and harmonica player Pat Bergeson, guitarist John Knowles and vocalist Annie Sellick.
Sellick shines on swinging takes of “Jingle Bell Rock” and the fun “Artificial Christmas Tree” and gets cozy with Emmanuel and Bergeson on “Jingle Bells. The team bounces like a tree decoration on the bopping ‘Let’s Make a Christmas Memory” and jives on “Let It Snow!” The album ends with a pair of glorious instrumentals, as Emmanuel glistens on “Christmas Memories/Waltzing Matilda” and puts the meaning of Christmas in perspective with Bergeson’s harmonica on “Amazing Grace.” Joyful to the world.