The "Big Dog" of country music has been known to be boisterous, loud, raucous, and opinionated; but with "A Merry Christmas to All," Charlie Daniels also shows his gentle and beautifully reverent side with a lovely collection of Christmas carols which is as tender and delightful as
a Christmas album can be.        

While it's true that Charlie Daniels has released a number of collections of hymns, it's still a bit startling to hear the first few bars of the opening track, "I'll Be Home For Christmas," as Charlie's steadfast voice caresses the wistful tune.  From there, he moves to the heartbreaking "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and the perennial favorite, "The Christmas Song."  Charlie makes no bones about singing these songs in their solid, traditional presentation.  Charlie is giving us plain Christmas carols that you can sing along with.        

Charlie's version of "Blue Christmas" is quite a departure from Elvis's, though; and he takes his own path with "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman."  The elegance of the instrumental "What Child is This" leads beautifully into "White Christmas," and he caps the disc with a laid-back original, "It's Bad ToHave The Blues (At Christmas Time)."        

It's not anything special, really; it's just a simple collection of pleasant, old-fashioned Christmas songs, most of which we all have several different versions of already.  But they are, as always, delightful.  The standout original carols, "Jesus Is The Light of the World," "God Bless The Mother," and the bluesy "It's Bad To Have The Blues (At Christmas Time)" are, however, worth the price of admission.  Charlie tells us in the notes he loves Christmas, and that this disc is for everyone who loves it as much as he does.  I believe him.  Just enjoy this disc.  That's what it's for.  And Happy Holidays!