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By Susan Evani - December 28, 2008 MuzikReviews.com
The Christmas Collection
When it comes to Christmas music there are two types of people. The person who loves a holiday tune so much they can't wait to start digging into their collection. On the other side are those who despise the very thought of a little ditty about Rudolph or a cheery stanza about Santa.
In full disclosure, I'm one of those Christmas music geeks.
Christmas songs and Amy Grant go pretty good together. She has morphed from a pop performer to one of the foremost artists in contemporary Christian music. On "The Christmas Collection," Grant's voice is comfy and pure and generally wraps around a classic Christmas carol with grace.
It's difficult to give a new twist to a familiar and beloved song. I mean really, how many versions of "Deck the Halls" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" do we need? The CD starts out with the millionth rendering of "Jingle Bells." This version sounds a bit like a show tune with a kind of cha-cha feel to it. It’s something the kids will really like.
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Winter Wonderland" and "Sleigh Ride" all have an old-school, Christmas-special feel with a large orchestra gleefully backing Grant up. Her warm voice almost conjures up the smell of mom's cookies. I generally prefer other adaptations of these songs, but she'll do in a pinch.
"I Need a Silent Night" is an original, with nifty upbeat lyrics recalling memories of Christmas past and bemoaning commercialism.
"Count your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)" is an example of a song I would personally never listen to any other time of year. But it's Christmas, and the sentiment comes off as sincere. Some of the more gospel-tinged songs like "Joy to the World" are sung in earnestness with uplifting and melodic arrangements. The simple, country-tinged "O Come All Ye Faithful" makes my heathen soul want to repent.
"The Christmas Collection" contains a carefully balanced mix of traditional and religious-tinged holiday music. It's a passable blend of new and old that is sure to be favored by all Christmas music geeks.
Pass the eggnog and the fruitcake!
Susan Evani is a writer with MuzikReviews.com, which provide weekly reviews to iBerkshires.
Tracks
01.
Jingle Bells
10.
Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)
02.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
11.
Joy to the World / For Unto Us a Child is Born
03.
I Need a Silent Night
12.
Grown-Up Christmas List
04.
Winter Wonderland
13.
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
05.
Baby, It's Christmas
14.
Tennessee Christmas
06.
Sleigh Ride
15.
A Christmas to Remember
07.
Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)
16.
Come All Ye Faithful
08.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
17.
A Mighty Fortress / Angels We Have Heard on High
09.
Silent Night
18.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Genre: Holiday gospel Label: Sparrow WebsiteAmazon Link Source Link
