A Finnish Christmas with the voices of Värttinä.

Sari and Mari Kaasinen (kah'-sin-nen) present original and traditional Christmas songs with arrangements by the brilliant Timo Alakotila (JPP, Troka, Maria Kalaniemi's Aldargaz). Great players from the Finnish folk music world provide understated accompaniment to keep the focus on the Kaasinen sisters' beautiful voices.

While the lyrics and style are decidedly Finnish, the universal spirit of Christmas shines through. As many of these songs hark back to Sari and Mari's childhood, a child's sense of wonder and excitement can be felt throughout, as expressed in the title "Can We Have Christmas Now?" Sari completes the album with a special version of "Silent Night" on the Finnish harp, the kantele.

This disc will strike a chord with anyone who has ever experienced Christmas in Finland. But it will also appeal to holiday music fans everywhere, and virtually anyone who appreciates hearing beautiful female voices with strong accompaniment and smart arrangements.