Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Thanksgiving generally is a pleasant and likeable affair. Its features include a charming, gently propulsive take on the traditional piece 'Allelujah' by Celtic harpist Lisa Lynne; a delicate rendering of 'Amazing Grace' by John Doan on a 20-string harp guitar; and a church-ready version of 'We Gather Together' by a trio of Paul McCandless (oboe), Philip Aaberg (piano), and Michael Manring (bass). A midalbum three-song stretch, though--from the heavy stringing (cello, violin, guitar) of William Coulter and Barry Phillips to R. Carlos Nakai's flute soliloquy to a saxophone meditation by Paul Winter--lingers overly long in a melancholy state. Later, a thoughtful harmonica outing by former Lovin' Spoonful member John Sebastian aims for Americana yet delivers more spaghetti Western. Still, the album ends with pieces by Will Ackerman and George Winston--and what could be more classic than that? --Terry Wood









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Disc 1:

1. We Gather Together - Traditional
2. Bygone Days - Keane, Brian
3. Coming Home - Harkness, Sean
4. Simple Gifts - Traditional
5. The Saviour's Universal Prayer/And Again Heavenly Father - Traditional
6. Silver Salmon Bear - Nakai, R. Carlos
7. Heaven Within - Halley, Paul
8. Caranna - Story, Tim
9. Allelujah - Traditional
10. Amazing Grace - Newton, John
11. Blessings - Story, Liz
12. Wagoner's Lad - Traditional
13. The Gathering - Ackerman, William
14. Thanksgiving - Winston, George [1]

Rating: - * Wrong MP3 Album! ... For some reason, the link from "Thanksgiving: A Windham Hill Collection," MP3 version, leads to "Thanksgiving by Various Artists." This is a different bunch of songs that is a mish-mash of artists, styles, quality, and appeal. MP3 link is incorrect and the downloaded album is not recommended. Rating: - * Music to do Thanksgiving by ... Windham Hill's "Thanksgiving" is the perfect mood music to play while eating Thanksgiving dinner. It opens with "We Gather Together" and ends with the beautiful "Thanksgiving," which is the perfect theme song to this most pleasant holiday. My only objection is that it's not the full-length version, which is on the "December" CD. The only song I'm even remotely disappointed with is "Allelujah," which is a bit too uptempo for a hymn. Otherwise, there's not much to find fault with here. Dim the lights, put a couple logs on the fire, pass around the pumpkin pie, and enjoy. Rating: - * This is my favorite Autumn-time CD ... When I first bought this CD, I had no idea how much I would come to really enjoy it. I force myself to avoid it all year until the leaves start to turn. Then, I listen to it several times a week through Thanksgiving. "Bygone Days" is an extremely relaxing tune, only outdone by the piano master himself, George Wintson, with "Thanksgiving." If you collect holiday-type music, this is a MUST HAVE for the fall season. Rating: - * It really does sound like Thanksgiving ... A wonderful compilation, quiet without being dull yet soulful & a nice, spry Allelujah in the middle of the CD. This CD was an unexpected surprise. Rating: - * One of the best-listen to this Year-Round and experience the Joy of Thankfulness... ... Simply one of the best & most original of the Windham Hill compilations, and I'm very glad Windham Hill thought to release this one. Just as close to perfect as they come, and the only way it could have been any better was to have had a contribution by the always original arrangements & compositions of Barbara Higbee, (or Fred Simon) but perhaps they were not available at the time. Of course, in a compilation like this, you need to have "We Gather Together Together..." but it is particularly touching to hear veteran Paul McCandless' arrangement to open the disc and set a thankful & comforting tone. Tim Story's consistently original & moving here as always, and the true highlight for me is "Amazing Grace" by John Doan. It is "amazing" indeed to hear someone do an original take on this classic hymn which has been recorded by so many, many fine artists over but the many decades of music-recording history. Leave it to Doan and to Dawn Atkinson's masterful production experience & background to pull this off so well. Will Ackerman's "The Gathering" is a typically original piece, very listenable year-round, and Carlos Nakai is a welcome addition with a peaceful cedar flute offering. Finally, (and really, there are so many gems here...) Lisa Lynne adds a sort of Majestic Joyfulness to "Allelujah", which certainly blows the dust off of this great hymn tune, bringing new life to such an often heard melody. Like the very best of the "Solstice" collections, this is a perfectly appropriate collection to hear year round. For example, I have listened to it on Independence Day, and found it strangely perfect for refection on our American roots that gave birth to many of these hymns, and to the spirit of creativity that our Founding Parents passed on to us in America. Simply perfect, Windham.