All but two of these nine carols have been previously published (and are still available separately), but any choir that buys this collection for one or two pieces is likely to go on and sing them all: Chilcott writes the sort of music that it is difficult not to like. The book represents almost all the mixed-voice carols he has written over the past ten years. All are characterised by unerring craftsmanship, attractively mobile rhythms sometimes generating intriguing textures, simple tunes, and approachable harmonies - a gift to both choirs and audiences . . . Chilcott's version of the 'Coventry Carol' is a different matter. He preserves the traditional spare texture in the verse but alternates it with richer, faintly Warlock-like harmonies in the refrains. The result is a song that has not only an attractive surface but also a really distinct musical personality