Jingles and Bells

Ben Rector\'s Christmas collection is short and sweet, and the Nashville singer/songwriter takes a charmingly fresh approach to the classics. His folksy guitar- and piano-based arrangements are pleasantly minimal, his voice is lightly peppy, and when the session musicians give themselves a round of applause after completing a spirited \"Jingle Bells,\" they sound like party guests having fun in your living room. Their version of \"Away in a Manger\" is a soothing lullaby, and closer “Auld Lang Syne” wraps things up on a wistful note.