This follow-up to Paul Hillier"s previous collection of carols--featuring old and new, unusual and unfamiliar carols, and uncommon settings of some familiar tunes and texts--has all the merits of the first, with the attraction of a children"s chorus added to the adult voices of Hillier"s Pro Arte Singers. Among the 22 selections are the popular "I wonder as I wander" and "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree," but you"ll find that most are unearthed treasures never found on traditional carol recordings. You"ll be charmed by the beautiful 15th-century carol "Ecce, quod natura," and delighted by the English "West Gallery" carols and early American tunes and Shaker songs. There"s even an original composition by Hillier, "I sing of a maiden." This disc will make an excellent early gift--you"ll want plenty of time to listen before Christmas arrives. --David Vernier