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The Performance

[Rating:4/5]

Lady Antebellum took the C&W world by storm in 2006 and has never looked back. This wholesome, harmonious, and visually appealing trio (Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood) have a way with music that has won them a number of CMA and AMA awards both as best artists and for best records. In the tradition of successful popular artists, LadyA now gives us their Christmas album, Live: On This Winter’s Night.  Backed by a symphony orchestra and recorded in Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the group gives us a list of some old and new seasonal favorites:

• A Holly Jolly Christmas
• On This Winter’s Night
• This Christmas
• I’ll Be Home For Christmas
• Silver Bells
• Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
• Blue Christmas
• The First Noel
• Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
• Silent Night (Lord of My Life)

BONUS TRACKS (Acoustic Versions, all in English LPCM 48kHz/24bit)

• Blue Christmas
• The First Noel
• Silent Night (Lord Of My Life)
• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
• A Holly Jolly Christmas

This is a feel good program, if there ever was one, interspersed with family photos and videos of the group, and the each member’s recitation of fond Christmas memories. There is enough variety in tempo and spirit to make this program not only appealing but over far too soon.

Video Quality

[Rating:4/5]

A very well shot video with the ever present purple backdrop, good close ups, and capture of details.  Camera works is lively without being distracting.

Audio Quality

[Rating:4/5]

Judicious use of the surround channels in the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 version brings in some nice hall effects and audience noise. The two-channel version is less atmospheric but still a good listen.

Supplemental Materials

[Rating:2.5/5]

Besides the program booklet listing the tracks and players, there is the following:

• A Holly Jolly Christmas Video: (2:18) (English LPCM Stereo 48kHz/24-bit). A wholesome little feature that is for the kids.
• 5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Holly Jolly Christmas Video (1:23) (English LPCM Stereo 48kHz/24-bit) A little background on the previous video.
• Behind The Scenes Of A Holly Jolly Christmas(2:06) English LPCM Stereo 48kHz/24-bit) the making of the video
• The Making of This “Winter’s Night”: (3:42) (English LPCM Stereo 48kHz/24-bit): the artists comment on their takes on some of the songs in the playlist

The Definitive Word

Overall:

[Rating:4/5]

I must confess that I have a very soft spot in my heart for Lady Antebellum as Haywood and Kelley are natives of my adopted hometown of Augusta, Georgia, and the trio has performed frequently there. Many Christmas concerts are one-offs and are not likely to get repeated viewings. Not this one, as this group, even for those who are not rabid country & western fans, successfully cross over to all audiences. If you are looking for that perfect stocking stuffer for Xmas 2013, this one is it.

Additional Screen Captures

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