On This Winter's Night

iTunes Editors’ Notes

Whether it’s the seemingly innate knack for vocal harmonies, the warm tones of rootsy instruments or that crystalline Nashville production, country bands really know how to gussy up a holiday themed album. But unlike most Music City acts, Lady Antebellum chose to take on secular songs with 2012’s On This Winter’s Night to make for an album of tree-trimming carols that can be enjoyed by all. Their retro take on the opening version of Johnny Marks’ “A Holly Jolly Christmas” harks back to that 1964 stop motion animation TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer where Burl Ives sang the song as narrator Sam the Snowman. They take a similarly familiar approach to "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," replete with a Phil Spector inspired wall-of-sound mix. Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” gets the classic soul treatment as well with a buttery smooth rhythm section and some brassy, Motown flavored horn arrangements. And “Blue Christmas” is equally groovy as it bounces on some boogie-woogie piano parts that help make the festive tune just that much more danceable.