Personnel: London Oratory School Schola, Metro Voices (vocals); Dann Huff, Jerry McPherson, Tom Bukovac (guitar); Pete Hutlinger, Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); David Schnaufer (dulcimer); Jonathan Yudkin (celtic harp, fiddle, viola, cello); Michael Compton (mandolin); Conni Ellisor, Karen Winkelmann, Catherine Umstead, Gerald Greer, Denise Baker, Carolyn Bailey, Beverly Drukker, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Bruce Wethey, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson, Alan Umstead, David Angell, Cate Myer, Janet Askey (violin); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Kristin Wilkinson, Jim Grosjean, Monisa Angell, Gary Vanosdale (viola); Julie Tanner, Sari Reist, Lynn Peithmann, Anthony LaMarchina, Carole Rabinowitz (cello); The Nashville String Machine (strings); Ann Richards (flute); Eric Rigler (tin whistle, Uilleann pipe); Lee Levine (clarinet); Bobby Taylor (oboe); Jim Lotz (bassoon); Doug Moffet, Robbie Shankle, Matt Davich, Sam Levine, Denis Solee, Buddy Skipper (saxophone); Jeff Bailey, Mike Haynes, Steve Patrick, George Tidwell (trumpet); Beth Beeson, Jennifer Krummer, Jeff Meyer, Calvin Smith (French horn); Chris Dunn, Prentiss Hobbs, Barry Green, Chris McDonald (trombone); Gilbert Long (tuba); Jon Gilutin (piano); Bettie Ross (organ); Jimmy Nichols, Charlie Judge (keyboards); Jack Jezioro, Paul Bushnell, Craig Nelson (bass instrument); Glenn Worf (upright bass); Neil Stubenhaus (electric bass); Keith Carlock, Shannon Forrest (drums); Eric Darken, Steve Brewster, Sam Bacco, Ron Sorbo (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Allen Sides.

Arrangers: Dann Huff; Faith Hill; David Campbell; Byron Gallimore.

The marketing department at Warner Brothers must have really wanted to get a jump on the holiday season when they released Faith Hill's 2008 Christmas album, JOY TO THE WORLD, in September. Hill's set of carols and traditional songs may not suit the late summer, but that doesn't make JOY TO THE WORLD any less of a treat. As albums like BREATHE and FIREFLIES proved, Hill has no problem crossing over to mainstream audiences, and this Christmas set (the singer's first) should strengthen that appeal. If the song selection itself isn't surprising--including the usual fare like "What Child is This," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Silent Night"--the arrangements are. A large orchestra, featuring brass, strings, reeds, percussion, and two different choirs, give these renditions a full, sweeping flavor reminiscent of the big bands of the 1940s and `50s. The album also includes an original single, "A Baby Changes Everything," which features one of Hill's most compelling performances.