Personnel: Ron Cooley (guitar, lute); Glen Smith (12-string guitar); Mary Walter (harp); David Low , Gregory Clinton (cello); Bobby Jenkins (oboe); Paul Winter (sopranino saxophone); Tom Hartig (alto saxophone); Doug Waddell, Barbara Butler, Charles Geyer (trumpet); Oto Carrillo, Alice Render, Dale Clevenger, David "High D" Kappy (French horn).

Director: John Rutter.

The CHRISTMAS 25th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION celebrates the chocolate-and-peanut-butter match that is Chip Davis' aural string assault and the yuletide season's turning a quarter-century old. The style is timeless; as it was in 1984, the lush arrangements surround the classic carols to create a unique, inobtrusive backdrop for any holiday party. This edition features a snazzy casing and extra tracks.

This 2009 double-disc set cherrypicks highlights from Mannheim Steamroller's six holiday albums -- 1984's Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, 1988's A Fresh Aire Christmas, 1995's Christmas in the Aire, 2001's Christmas Extraordinaire, 2007's Christmas Song, and its 2008 sequel, Christmasville -- making it a nice overview and introduction to the group's signature seasonal cheer. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine