(Finished November 26th, 2017) themusicaddict's Review of Lindsey Stirling's "Warmer In The Winter"

Hello,

This is my review of Lindsey Stirling's new Christmas CD "Warmer In The Winter", a collection of mostly Christmas classics.

1) "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy", Lindsey featured on her violin. One of the truly great Christmas songs and Lindsey does great justice to it. These first two songs are my two favorite songs on this CD. This is already an amazing song, but I love what Miss Stirling adds to it.

2) "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" (featuring Sabrina Carpenter), one of the most fun versions I've ever heard of this song:

3) "Christmas C'mon" (featuring Becky G), another delightful song where Lindsey's violin is highlighted by a great vocalist.

4) "Carol of the Bells"- this is probably my favorite Christmas song ever, especially the full on version. Although this version isn't the full on version, it's still good with some of Miss Stirling's creative touches.

When I say full on version of "Carol of the Bells", this is what I mean. This is the Barlow Girl version:

This is allegedly Metallica's version, I'm not so sure. This is likely the TSO version:

5) "Angels We Have Heard On High"- a very mellow version of this great Christmas classic. Sadly one of the weaker links on this CD.

This is how I prefer my "Angels We Have Heard On High", a more upbeat and uplifting mix, this is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version:

6) "I Saw Three Ships", a very upbeat version of this song.

I like this Blackmore's Night version, a light and joyful arrangement:

7) "Let It Snow", again this track is highlighted by Lindsey's violin, but this song could really use vocals. This is a fairly traditional arrangement that would be incredibly enhanced by vocals. A nice touch with a snippet of "New York New York".

8) "Warmer In The Winter" (featuring Trombone Shorty) This original features an unnamed female vocalist, with some nice musical touches by Trombone Shorty. Again the vocals improve this song dramatically. This is the best original song on here:

9) "What Child Is This"- again another one of my favorite Christmas songs, such a sweet song about our Savior. A very moving version with Miss Stirling's excellent violin work. This song features the right amount of reverence and peaceful feeling. Originally I was going to say that vocals would have enhanced this and that may still be true. However Miss Stirling's version of this song is incredibly beautiful.

Miss Stirling's version:

Martina McBride's version:

10) "All I Want For Christmas": a decent version of this song.

11) "Time To Fall In Love" (featuring Alex Gaskarth), this original is a good song. It's powered by the vocals of Gaskarth and a fast melody. 

12) "Jingle Bell Rock", another one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. Sadly this song is nearly unrecognizable from the great Bobby Helms original, and not for the good. I'm not a fan of the less than inspired arrangement:

13) "Silent Night", meh. The last two songs should have been left off of the CD.

These two songs are on the Target exclusive version, "O Come Emmanuel" is the better of the two.

14) "We Three Gentlemen":

15) "O Come Emmanuel":

Overall a good, but not great, CD. It's a serviceable CD with a few highlights, I would give it a C+. Many songs were fine as instrumentals, but an equal amount would've been enhanced by vocals. If your a Lindsey Stirling, you should add this to your collection. Although if you're a fan of Miss Stirling, you probably already have. If you're not a fan of Miss Stirling, this isn't the CD that will make you that.

themusicaddict