Song #5: Away in a Manger
Kelly Willis and Wylie Gustafson
A search of my iTunes indicates that I like many versions of this song, but the one that stands out the most to me is by Wylie Gustafson and Kelly Willis, from a compilation called Christmas Trail. The mix of rootsy production, Willis’ twang and Gustafson’s Orbison-like harmony is impossible to resist. – Leeann
Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand
It’s hard to find a Christmas album that doesn’t have a version of “Away in the Manger,” but this may be the only reggae-grass version in existence. Shupe, a Utah-based musician, had a little mainstream success with an album on Capitol in 2005, but the RubberBand continues to record and tour to this day. – Sam
Next: Day Six, “Silent Night”
I like some Shupe – “Dream Big” was great – but didn’t care for this effort. Never heard Leeann’s pick before but I like it.
Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand are absolutely HUGE in Utah/mountains area. I saw many of their recordings there when visiting some family last year for Christmas.