Music for the holidays

Leah Salomaa: Under a Winter Star — Toronto’s Salomaa specializes in recordings aimed at families, not just kids. I was able to test out her new holiday CD in the perfect setting: a weekend in a house overflowing with three generations. The kids perked up for her lively versions of “Deck the Halls,” “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” I think her first track, “The Holly and the Ivy,” is one of the purest versions of that song I’ve heard. But the hands-down favourite was the Welsh traditional tune “All Through the Night,” which Salomaa performs with simple, sweet vocals and lush harmonies. If you’re in need of a new holiday record like we were, this one is the perfect choice.