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Nancy Hanson is a singer-songwriter who is a little bit country, a little bit folk, and a lot of unabashed talent. Her warm and winning music flows straight from the heart, and All Wrapped Up is an excellent introduction for the uninitiated. This album definitely makes me want to check out Hanson's other releases--she's an accomplished artist whose craft speaks directly to the soul.

The album contains ten songs, including two of Hanson's own creations. The rest are largely well-familiar. Hanson's style is smart simplicity. Her lovely voice is effortlessly open and honest, and her award-winning songwriting reflects a wonderful sense of human nature and a great talent for constructing catchy phrasing. Like magic, Hanson makes a "brand new" number become memorable almost immediately in the listener's head. The excellent, light-handed accompaniment (largely strings) embraces Hanson's voice like the perfect frame for your favorite photo.

Her title track "All Wrapped Up" is one of the best holiday originals I've heard in a long time. The song is fresh and fun, has a captivating refrain, and has fancy fiddlin' and an addictive beat to boot! The cut is all about a problem many of us face--becoming so "wrapped up" in Christmas details that we forget "to relax and take in the holiday." Instead, we're pushing to get the "shopping done by Labor Day." Hanson's other original here is "Santa is Coming," another winning and memorable effort.

As for the traditional holiday numbers, Hanson's album is crowded with delightful moments. For example, I'm not a big fan of "Frosty the Snowman," but Hanson's bluegrass version is sassy and snappy without being stupid. Really nice! Hanson's "Away in a Manger" also surprises by featuring a deliciously lovely, lilting Jamaican flavor.

All in all, Nancy Hanson's All Wrapped Up is an outstanding holiday CD for folkies and all other human beings possessed of a fondness for great music. Although she does commit the unforgivable sin of cutting a good thing short (the CD is just over 30 minutes long), she is forgiven--so long as she swears to provide a double dose of holiday fare on her next Christmas CD!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Nancy Hanson: guitar, vocals
Craig Miner: banjo, guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin, ukulele, bass, vocals
Ryan Shupe: fiddle, mandolin, guitar, resophonic guitar, organ, vocals
Rob Honey: bass
Bart Olson: drums, percussion
Lisa Malan: harmony vocals

Produced by Ryan Shupe and Craig Miner.
Songs Arranged by Ryan Shupe, Craig Miner & Nancy Hanson unless otherwise noted.
Recorded at Ocean Floor Studio, Provo, Utah.
Engineered by Ryan Shupe and Craig Miner.

From the Web site:
All Wrapped Up is a collection of eight familiar Christmas songs with two new, original songs. The album, produced by Ryan Shupe and Craig Miner, is upbeat, acoustic, and sure to keep you in the holiday spirit.

Nancy Hanson's songwriting is simple, honest and from the heart. Her guitar playing and stage presence are strong and compelling. Add a voice that is at once warm and shimmering and you begin to see and feel the deep talents of Nancy Hanson.

Nancy comes to the stage with a love of music. At twelve years old she successfully negotiated a deal with her mother to end the piano lessons and pick up the guitar. Guitar playing came naturally to Nancy as she spent hours learning and playing songs written by her favorite artists. Her early influences include John Denver, Dan Fogelberg and James Taylor. She was later inspired by the music of Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin. Nancy has said, "I think all those years I spent listening to and singing songs by these great artists I was subconsciously learning to write myself."

Nancy Hanson

All Wrapped Up

Artist link

Track List