Review: Proclaimed by classicaltoday.com to be "one of North America's outstanding choirs," the St. Charles Singers offer a bounty of Christmas music from Europe and America in arrangements by John Rutter, David Wilcocks and Robert Shaw and Alice Parker. It includes favorites such as "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Jingle Bells" and Rutter's charming "Donkey Carol." One of the less familiar pieces is a very lively setting by Arvo Part of the Slavonic Ave Maria, "Bogoroditse Djevo." Joining the choir on this CD are members of the Metropolis Chamber Orchestra and guitarist Goran Ivanovic. This is a wonderful collection for the Christmas season.

Songlist: Sans Day Carol, Away in a Manger, Nativity Carol, Quittez, Pasteurs, I Sing of a Maiden, Bogoroditse Djevo, I Wonder As I wander, Angels We have heard on High, For Unto Us a Child Is Born, While Stars Their Vigil Keep, Spanish Lullaby, Masters in This Hall, Christmas night, Little Road to Bethlehem, Donkey Carol, Jingle Bells, Ding Dong Merrily on High, El Noy de la Mare, Still, Still, Still

Review: Rarely heard works by English composer/conductor John Rutter are highlighted on this highly acclaimed disc by the St. Charles Singers. Fancies is a cycle of choral settings with small orchestra which uses texts from the 15th and 16th centuries including Shakespeare and Thomas Campion. This performance is only the second recording of this charming piece. Other Rutter pieces include, "The Keel Row," "Black Sheep," "Down By the Sally Garden" and "I Know Where I'm Goin'." All of the Rutter arrangements are accompanied by soloists from the Metropolis Chamber Orchestra. The remainder of the recording is an assortment of American and British folk song arrangements. "Flower of Beauty," is especially beautiful. This recording includes some great singing from a fine American choir.

Songlist: Tell Me Where is Fancy Breed, There Is a Garden in Her Face, The Urchins' Dance, Riddle Song, Midnight's Bell, The Bellman's Song, Flower of Beauty, The Keel Row, The Turtle Dove, Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair, Lamorna, Black Sheep, Down By The Sally Gardens, He's Gone Away, Swansea Town, The Oak and The Ash, Early One Morning, I Know Where I'm Going, Londonderry Air, Shenandoah