The lush arrangement of the opening number, Silver Bells, is informed by the likes of Karen Carpenter or Anne Murray. The integral sweetness of Barbara Martin's voice begs comparison to these '70s pop icons, not because she sounds like them, but because her voice conveys a pleasing warmth and richness in similar fashion. Mac Walter's guitar style creates a rich, intricate framework within which the vocalist can perform her stylings. As a pop duo, Mac Walter and Barbara Martin provide a complete sound. Each arrangement provides everything necessary to paint the song's complete picture. Tis the Season is a hearty stew, cooked up with a combination of well-known holiday tunes and seasoned with a collection of fresh, original songs by Martin and Walter. Barbara and Mac's Tis the Season was an unexpectedly bright new offering, and went a long way toward getting me fired up for the annual holiday doin's. --Richard Banks Christmasreviews.com "Slice of life songs that ring with truth, wit and experience" The Washington Post, Barbara Martin and Mac Walter's music is a rich stew of earthy blues peppered with sassy, swinging jazz. Their performances are rooted in a healthy respect for the traditions of American music from Josh White to Bessie Smith to Billie Holiday. Martin's sultry, soulful voice combined with the bending, sliding strings of guitar wizard Mac Walter captivate audiences. From the time she bought her first guitar at the age of 13, Barbara Martin has never been afraid to explore and experiment. She moved from the folk coffeehouse circuit in her native Iowa to the new wave rock scene in Boston, to discovering her true love, blues and jazz, in the hills of Virginia. From her decision in 1990 to give up her job as a social worker and embark on a career as a full time musician she has never looked back. Her journey has taken her to festivals and concert venues throughout the United States and Europe six recordings and critical acclaim from presenters and reviewers alike. Guitarist, Mac Walter, began his musical career at 16 when Marianne Price, formerly with Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, convinced him to give up the ukulele and try the guitar. Three months later Mac was playing in Marianne's band has not put the guitar down since. Over a 35 year career Mac has studied with guitar greats Roy Buchanan, John Knowles and Woody Mann. He has performed with Danny Gatton and Deanna Bogart, touring the United States and Europe. Claiming influences from Wes Montgomery to Django Reinhardt to Frank Zappa, Mac is "a master of the acoustic guitar" Portfolio Magazine.