A Skaggs Family Christmas is a great combination of easy-listening country and bluegrass treatments of Christmas standards and some less oft-heard material too. The bright, breezy recording includes Ricky Skaggs, members of Kentucky Thunder, The Whites, and many third generation family members. Sister/brother Molly and Luke Skaggs, along with their cousin Rachel White, make this a joyous family event. 

Besides the standard bluegrass instruments, the arrangements are brought to life with tasteful whistle, percussion, accordion, dulcimer, viola, mandola, piano, bouzouki and strings. Sharon White's angelic lead vocals on "Love Came Gently" give us a rendition of soaring beauty. Nashville String Machine provides the smooth layer of synthesized wintery atmosphere. Cheryl White's voice is also a perfect gift for the holidays. The mid-set pickup is "Hangin' Round the Mistletoe," a cute and catchy song featuring Buck White's lead vocal and piano. An instrumental "Deck the Halls" is rather short at 2 minutes, but the band's hot breaks, even though conservatively confined to the song's melody, will melt even the coldest icicle.

One interesting selection is Buck White's recitation of "The Christmas Guest" (words by Grandpa Jones and Bill Walker). Gospel bluegrass collections occasionally have recitations, such as Ralph Stanley's moving story by Dean Deel, "On a High, High Mountain," about a friend's passing of his mother and father. On a 46-minute Christmas album, however, a 5-minute recitation could be slightly distracting to some families spinning the CD for background music at holiday reunions. However, the poetic story is worth listening to closely. After seeing a vision in a dream, a man prepares for the Lord to be his Christmas guest. While seemingly disappointed by His non-appearance, the man discovers that He actually did appear as a beggar, hungry woman, and lonely child who were all met with the man's love and warmth on Christmas Day.

A Skaggs Family Christmas is an inspirational delight. This musical treasure has very warm and pleasant sounds for families at fireside during the holiday season. Thanks to the Skaggs Family for sharing their music, love, and warmth during a very religious and emotional time of the year. Watch the Skaggs Family Christmas television specials too! (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)