Is there anything that Vince can't do well? If there is then Christmas songs isn't a part of it. For Vince's second yuletide album magic was definitely in the mix. Breath Of Heaven was intended to capture the same high and mystical quality that characterized the Big Band era of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra and the recording during three consecutive days in Capitol Records Los Angeles studios A & B where Bing and Frank often recorded was truly an event for the ages for the sixty odd persons assembled for the recording.
   The emotional edge was very much in evidence both in the studio and on the final recordings. The Thursday before the final recording session Frank Sinatra passed away and that event surely put an added sense of importance on the sessions for music director Patrick Williams as well as the drummer and bass player, all of whom had been with Sinatra in his heyday. "It was really hard for me--kind of terrifying," relates Vince, "You have 60 musicians in there, and they're waiting for you to sing before they draw their bows. The power of being in the same room with that orchestra and watching and hearing them all play was amazing. To hear that much beauty and sing those songs of reverence was really emotional for me."
   The whole album was recorded in one big studio with all the orchestra and Vince and everything was cut at the same time, not separate recordings for different sections or instruments. Throughout the album Vince is true to the spirit of the songs he sings. "Blue Christmas" isn't silly and catchy the way Elvis did it, but rather with a melancholy attitude that befits a sad song. The full orchestration of every song gives depth and the spirit of the season to this wonderful compilation of tunes we all know and love. Kudos to Vince for giving us an album worthy of goosebumps of nostalgia.

-Charlton Wiggins