Review for Abigail Winzer album 'Rejoice'

This holiday season remarkable singer, Abigail Winzer, is making sure you get more attuned to this winter’s celebrations. She has released a Christmas album titled Rejoice, filled with a selection of familiar titles to get you into the Yuletide spirit. Winzer, who provides the vocals on this album, has performed with double platinum country star Josh Turner and the Julliard-trained and critically acclaimed Anne Moses Band at the Grand Ole Opry. Along with her accolades, she names her solo performance at the Ford Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame on July 19, 2016 as one of them.

Award winning producer Michael Crittenden, handles the arrangements to Rejoice, incorporating the soulful sounds of old world instruments like the duduk to which international music sensation, Arsen Petrosyan, shows why he is the heir to the apparent throne of Armenian Duduk music. Interspersed in the scenic and arousing sounds of other Celtic sounding instruments like the Irish harp is Winzer’s arousing soprano vocals. The Michigan-based singer’s on-key singing perfectly fits in the groove of such tracks like “O Holy Night,” where the fantastical quality and Celtic resonances really takes you back in time.

The duduk is featured on both “O Come O Come Emmamuel” and “Silent Night” carrying listeners back to the streets of Bethlehem. While tracks like “O Holy Night,” “What Child Is This,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The First Noel” and “O Come All Ye Faithful,” feature the Irish Harp, Irish Whislte, soprano, alto and tenor recorder consort and lute carried through the artistry of Celtic musician James Spalink, who gives the remaining songs an added Celtic finish.

Listeners will get to enjoy both the vocals and instruments at the same time.  The middle of the album provides for a profound interlude with “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” holding audiences attention with its enchanting look into an interpretation of a classic hymn usually played around this Christmas season.

Winzer’s refreshing takes on these Christmas songs are ethereal. Her celestial vocals along with Crittenden’s serene-producing arrangements make for an enthralling release. Rejoice is Abigail Winzer’s debut release.