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For those of you who love her heavenly voice, Wintersong was released this week. Being a rabid Sarah McLachlan fan, I immediately picked this up and am in a daze listening to it.
The songs are definitely the type that compliment her voice and style; it sounds like the heavenly choir lost one of its members.

I grabbed the album the day it came out, I think I like it more than Afterglow . I'm not sure but I think "Song for a Winter's Night" has been edited a bit from the B-Sides & Rarities album, I'll have to pull that album out to make sure. I do kinda wish they put the Barenaked Ladies & Sarah version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" on the album too, their bassist played on almost all the Wintersong tracks so you might as well throw that song in while they're at it. Ah well, that's what computers and CD burners are for, I'm going to copy that song onto my improved version.

Other than those few minor quibbles I can't find much to complain about. It's a solid Sarah album, not as brilliant as "Fumbling" but then again not much is. I like it, I'm happy, and if me & Sarah were both single I'd totally marry her.

I'm not sure but I think "Song for a Winter's Night" has been edited a bit from the B-Sides & Rarities album, I'll have to pull that album out to make sure.

The cover of "Happy Xmas" is great, and I've always enjoyed "Song For A Winter's Night" though I must say I prefer the older recording she's done of that particular song that's appeared on older collections. And yes, it is slightly different. I think there are some altered backing vocals.

And the recent release of the complete Mirrorball release is just more Sarah goodness. She has the best voice I've ever heard.

Edit, listening again, now, the backing stuff does indeed seem slightly different, as does some of the music, on "Song For A Winter's Night."

Edit the second. I think the main vocals are new as well, especially towards the end of the song where there are some subtle differences. Sounds like a completely new recording with some older elements of the "original" recording remaining.

FSTargetDrone wrote:And the recent release of the complete Mirrorball release is just more Sarah goodness. She has the best voice I've ever heard.

There's no stores around my area that have it in stock, and all the mail order places are on backorder right now. Let's just say I'm getting a bit frustrated. I'll probably end up ordering it direct off Nettwerk site if I can't find a copy in the next couple weeks.

aerius wrote:There's no stores around my area that have it in stock, and all the mail order places are on backorder right now. Let's just say I'm getting a bit frustrated. I'll probably end up ordering it direct off Nettwerk site if I can't find a copy in the next couple weeks.

I pre-ordered mine direct from Nettwerk and got it for $22.98 US with free shipping (it's a 2-CD album; 23 songs) and it arrived within a week of my placing the order, so you might as well go for it that way. If you like the original Mirrorball release, you should thoroughly like this new release. Some of the songs seem to be identical recordings of the stuff on the first Mirrorball, but some of the stuff is the same as you will find on the Mirrorball DVD. It's basically a complete recording of the last night of the Mirrorball tour in Portland, Oregon. There's also a nice little booklet inside with lyrics and some fantastic photos of her!

Both Mirrorball (and Wintersong) are also available on iTunes if you want to hear the previews of each song.

Ok, as far as I can tell Song for a Winter's Night is a completely new recording, all vocals are slightly different and the instruments are as well. Not only that but the placement of the voices & instruments differs too, though that's mostly from the mixing & mastering. Speaking of which it's a Bob Ludwig mastering job which guarantees goodness, I've yet to hear a CD mastered by Bob Ludwig that sounds bad.

Finally found a copy of the new Mirrorball CD set, yeah, I'm happy. Also got her Fumbling Towards Ecstasy: Live DVD while I was at the store, but I haven't had a chance to view it yet.