Do we need another Christmas album? To be honest, my Charlie Brown Christmas was beginning to wear on me, even with its once a year rotation. Vince Guaraldi’s is a great album, and I’m going to blame any loss of freshness on the month plus of all-Christmas-all-the-time programming, courtesy of radio stations hoping to corner the market market—music to encourage shopping shoppers. And just as commercial-free radio has found an ironically commercial niche, I find myself in grave need of music that can compensate me with actual feeling and an appropriate understanding of joy. Joe Romano and Susan Elliott of the Houston-based duo, Mood Indigo, have well captured their own love and spirit with their latest musical offering. It’s Christmas Eve is drenched in life, and tingling with emotions that will resonate for those of us who, particularly at this time of year, seek moments to reflect on peace and compassion. From its energetic opener, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” to creative interpretations showcasing Susan’s singularly supple voice as “In the Bleak Midwinter,” to essential classics like “Silent Night,” lesser known carols, and a superb original in Joe’s title track: this CD tackles our timeless need for music that we can connect with. This is fully engaging music that reminds of us of those we love and have loved—music that gives us hope for future loves. And perhaps most important, it is music that interrupts our comfortable background noise, fetters labels and expectations, and reminds us of the humanity around and in us. Do we need another Christmas album? We need this one. -- Carol Morgan, NY Jazz Trumpeter and Blue Bamboo Music Recording Artist