Greetings:

I'm hoping it's not entirely inappropriate to announce here the release
on CD of my brand-new musical setting of the lyrics to the traditional
Christmas carol, AWAY IN A MANGER, as sung by LINDA RONSTADT on her album,
a MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, on the Elektra label (62572-2).

The accompaniment is lovingly arranged for harp, strings and small choral
ensemble.

As some of you may know, Linda Ronstadt's long career has been
characterized by its fearless approach to a variety of musical styles;
she follows her own drummer.  And on this, her first and only Christmas
offering in her 35 year career, she has continued this tradition.

I was honored when she chose my version of Away in a Manger over the
traditional tunes we all know.  A few days after playing Away in a Manger
for her for the first time, Linda confided to me that "...your melody
sticks to me like Velcro." Of Away in a Manger Linda Ronstadt has also
said:

   "My daughter's piano teacher adapted this version.  He took an old text
   and gave it a brand new setting.  He's very Americana," Ronstadt says.
   "It's kind of like he was the guy who lives down the street from George
   Gershwin.  He also gave this a turn of the century kind of modernism."

Daniel Buckley, music critic of theTucson Citizen said:

    "Tucsonan Richard White's version of "Away In a Manger" is a far cry
    from the simple tune we've come to know.  The sophisticated writing
    pulls the ear in fascinating melodic and harmonic directions.
    Ultimately, this is the version I'll return to."

 From the New York Times:

   "The album enraptures with the sacred music of its second half.
   Ms. Ronstadt has chosen carols for elegance and poignancy, and the
   arrangements, enhanced by a small choir, hypnotize.  Ms. Ronstadt
   gives yet another honorable tradition her inimitable stamp."

The CD includes (aside from chestnuts such as White Christmas, sung with
Rosemary Clooney), O Magnum Mysterium, Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming, I
Wonder As I Wander, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, in which Linda Ronstadt
submerges her voice (as well as her ego) into choirs from Tucson (where
we live) and Los Angeles.

The CD is available at retail outlets worldwide as well as online at
amazon.com and many other sites offering CDs for sale.  The voice and
keyboard version will be available from Whitco Press (see signature and
follow the appropriate links.)

I hope you enjoy the music!

Best,
Richard White