Rich Gotshall

12/16/2001

Carols are a traditional part of Christmas. The media fusion project American Christmas Classics ($59.95, Christmas Classics) offers the sound and history of several contemporary holiday songs.

The songs are performed on three CDs, and a 144-page coffee-table book devotes chapters to each carol, showing its history. The words to each song are printed, so listeners can sing along. There are wonderful illustrations by Norman Rockwell, Grandma Moses, N.C. Wyeth and others.

The entire package is nicely presented, making this a marvelous gift for musicians and non-musicians alike.

The project is the second in a series. Last year's was Best-Loved Christmas Carols and future topics include carols from the British Isles, France and Germany.