On both albums, Petrie is joined by a small acoustic ensemble. Christmas also features Kim Robertson on harp and Mike Marshall and Kaila Flexer on violin. On Noel , Cheryl Ann Fulton plays harp and Shira Kammen plays violin. On both albums, the various players mesh beautifully into a well-balanced chamber group with a fine, bright sound. The arrangements are very smooth and tasteful, sometimes bordering on the classical.
Good use is made of the tone colors of the various instruments.
The slower tempo makes the tunes drag and the playing sound a bit heavy. However, this is a minor point and should not dissuade anyone from checking out the album. The pace of both albums is fairly slow and gentle. They have become two of the albums I get out year after year as December rolls around.