A brilliant recording of ancient holiday carols, this is a very traditional Christmas album in the most classic sense. Moving from hurdy-gurdy to saz (a Middle eastern lute) to guitar, the multi-talented Ethan James delivers a wonderfully refined set of carols, accompanied only by Catherine Alexander on percussion. Unless you’re an ancient music scholar, most of the 15 tunes here will be unfamiliar, but it’s a beautiful holiday recording nonetheless. – Bret Love