It's irritating that Christmas Grass doesn't list artist participation anywhere on its exterior, particularly because so many of the performances here are spectacular. Despite its generic packaging, the set is both lively and tasteful, bluegrass and Christmas all wrapped up in 15 of the holiday's most well-known songs. Highlights include a "Carol of the Bells" with mandolin and fiddle leading the way,
Alison Krauss' mournful, searching fiddle on "What Child Is This?," and a rootsy, upbeat run through "Deck the Halls" that's more inviting than the steam rising off a hot glass of cider. Christmas Grass is a standout in the foggy storm of seasonal music, because even if you're not a bluegrass aficionado, you still enjoy the great performances. ~ Johnny Loftus