Heavenly Christmas is a collection of previously released holiday numbers from some of the heavyweights in contemporary instrumental and pop music. Beginning with the stirring melodies of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Canon," and moving unhurriedly through equally lush tracks from Sarah Brightman and Mannheim Steamroller, the set proves equally comfortable with Carly Simon's simple acoustic arrangement of "I'll Be Home for Christmas," and John Tesh's mix of light jazz mischief and reverent piano and violin melody for his "We Three Kings." Heavenly Christmas' new age-heavy second half isn't as focused, but it's no less ambitious, with powerful melodies guiding work from Kitaro, David Lanz, and Linda Eder, who applies her incredible gifts for vocal melody to the always rousing "Little Drummer Boy." If the album has any flaw, it might be the sheer abundance of talent present. With so many top-shelf names involved, pleasant yet slightly less distinct work from Take 6 and Linda Ronstadt can't help but lose a little bit of resonance next to the epic Chanticleer or Loreena McKennitt's extravagant new age folk music. But this is a minor observation. Heavenly Christmas' lush modernism should serve as pleasant holiday accompaniment for fans of contemporary pop, instrumental, and new age sounds. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide