Shout for Joy,
Barbara Hendricks' album of Christmas songs includes a variety of songs in many styles. The accompaniments are tailored to the material, with traditional carols accompanied by organ or orchestra, spirituals with guitar or a cappella, and Medieval and Renaissance songs with period instruments.
Hendricks is absolutely delightful in the spirituals, some accompanied and some a cappella, singing with a freedom and naturalness that characterize her best work, but she is not consistently effective in the other pieces. Arte Verum's sound is clean and present.