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Christmas List 2007
Thanksgiving often marks the beginning of holiday shopping and Christmas decorating. Another tradition that kicks off around this time is the playing of Christmas music.
A good Christmas song is timeless, and we eagerly anticipate hearing them each year, songs like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” come to mind. More generally, in what we call the Christian market, there are everlasting traditional Christmas CD’s from Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant among others.
Personally, two of my favorites Christmas songs are Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven” and Erin O’Donnell’s “Christmas Time Is Here.” There are of course some Christmas CD’s that never should have been made, like the Jingle-Cats: Meowy Christmas!
Each year of course there are new releases, adding to the already awesome collection. It is fun to find out who will be releasing a Christmas album as the season approaches. This year of course is no different, and the following snippets will introduce you to some of what is new this year. I am convinced that you will find inspiration in this years offering.
Yolanda Adams – “What a Wonderful Time”
Yolanda is a well-known Gospel vocalist and her newest Christmas CD is being released on Columbia Records. This marks her first release on the label. “What a Wonderful Time” is a mix of classics rearranged in Gospel style and original thought provoking songs like “Give Love on Christmas Day” and “A Season of Love.” The mix provides seasonal excitement and deep reflection together in an elegant presentation. My favorites are “My Favorite Things,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Little Drummer Boy” all of which showcase the classy and powerful vocals that have made Yolanda Adams a Gospel favorite.
Diamond Rio – “Christmas: The Star Still Shines”
Diamond Rio is a widely popular country band with a multitude of Country Music Awards, Grammy Nominations and other industry accolades. The group is most known for their strong harmonies and dynamic musicianship. Their first release on the Word label “Christmas – The Star Still Shines,” presents Christmas classics in their jazzy-bluegrass-country fashion. Along with similar harmonies and musicianship that has earned them such aforementioned recognition. The harmonies shine on “Christmas Time Is Here” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and the jazzy-bluegrass is most notable on “Sleigh Ride.”
David Phelps – “One Wintry Night: A David Phelps Christmas”
The most obvious thing about this album is Phelps’ inspirational vocals. It is a style of its own and very fitting for this type of CD. The album, “One Wintry Night,” is a concept album that weaves a story from start to finish. Phelps weaves this story through a mixture of classics and original songs. The album boasts six new original songs among a total of fifteen tracks.
Although Phelps recommends that the album be taken as a whole, there are tracks that stand out. One such song is “Away in a Manger” which is done so subtly that you could imagine Mary swaddling baby Jesus in her arms while singing such a sweet lullaby. The powerful title track follows, continuing the awe-inspiring thoughts of a savior being born and the complete significance this means to us for eternity.
A few other songs of note are Phelps’ remake of Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” and the contemporary “If Everyone Believed” which tackles consumerism with truth.
Jaci Velasquez is one of many artists that were thrust upon the stage at a young age. After a long sabbatical, this short three-song EP is a primer for what is to come from a refreshed and renewed Jaci. Also included on the album is an interview in which Jaci talks about these experiences.
It is obvious from the interview that not all of the experiences were pleasant, as Jaci’s comments on home schooling were very revealing. There was much about growing up that Jaci had missed and it took a toll on her emotional and spiritual well being. The interview bravely explores her early marriage and divorce, and her more recent marriage to Salvador front man Nic Gonales. The couple recently welcomed their first child, Zealand David Gonzales, into the world.
Some may question why such an interview would be included on a Christmas album, but I think that it is very fitting. Christmas marks the birth of Christ, Christ who was born to bear our sins and burdens. The interview is very humbling and open and most fitting with the title “Open House.”
The three songs chosen for the CD are formed around Jaci’s soulful voice and they include a dynamic soundtrack resulting in a peppy little project. The songs include a remake of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” a reflective “Auld Lang Syne,” and an original titled “Quite Christmas Night (Gloria).”
Jars of Clay – “Christmas Songs”
“Christmas Songs” marks two very significant firsts for Jars Of Clay, it is their first Christmas album and it is their first release on their own label (Grey Matter). It is hard to believe that over their 12 year run the band has never recorded a holiday album! As expected, when they finally got around to doing it, it is a first-class project.
“Christmas Songs” is more insightful than a good number of holiday offerings, especially with their originals “Winter Skin” and “Evergreen.”
The CD includes traditional songs like “Christmastime Is Here,” “O’ Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” all produced in their own style. On the latter of these three, I thought they are about to break into a revised version of “Flood.”
With respect to Christmas music, there is a time for fun, and a time for serious reflection. It should not be all tidings of comfort and joy. There has to be some reflection as to why we celebrate and at what cost the celebration was secured for us. I do not know for a fact that Jars of Clay wished me to think this deeply about “Christmas Songs,”but these thoughts crossed my mind as I listened to the words and music on “Christmas Songs”.
Michael W. Smith – “It’s A Wonderful Christmas”
With an impressive entrance, full of eloquent orchestration and a resounding choir, Michael W. Smith once again enters into the Christmas realm. “It’s a Wonderful Christmas,” Smith’s 20th album, features a 65-piece orchestra and four choirs! Nearly the entire album was either written or arranged by Smith himself. The instrumentals are amazing, and they add a dramatic twist to the production that Smith likens to a movie soundtrack.
“It’s A Wonderful Christmas” is grand and majestic a project of epic proportions. For those who like choir and orchestration this is a most excellent Christmas CD. The most amazing tracks include the heartfelt “Song For The King,” which Smith states is a prayer translated to music with a violin and piano. I also am particular to the bagpipe instrumental, “A Highland Carol,” and the festive, “Christmas Angels.”
Making good use of his resources and talents, Michael W. Smith has created a timeless collection of song and celebration for this season and many to come.
Jean Watson – “Christmas Presence”
“Christmas Presence” is not a new CD, but it did just come to me this year with Jean Watson’s “Unveiled.” Like her more recent release, there is a hint of Gaelic tones on “Christmas Presence.” The song selection is stated as a mixture of the familiar with the unknown, and that in of itself makes the project distinctively singular.
Jean’s lovely voice prevails on “Le Sommeil De L’Enfant Jesus” (the unknown) and “Silent Night” (the familiar). “Le Sommeil De L’Enfant Jesus” is a 13th century French carol that translates to “Sleep of the Baby Jesus.” Jean also does a respectable rendition of “Breath of Heaven,” that stays very true to the original composition and arrangement.
Select samples can be heard on Jean’s official web site and you will also find purchasing information there as well. http://www.jeanwatson.com
Bebo Norman - “Christmas: From the Realms of Gory”
As I read the notes that came along with “Christmas: From the Realms of Glory,” I was humbled as the meaning and purpose of the project unwove through the details of the press release. Upon first observation, I assumed that this would be a nice acoustical album full of the usual holiday classics. What I discovered however was that the album was cautiously approached and reverently formed, with the foundation being a secular song from Jackson Browne called “Rebel Jesus.”
The song “Rebel Jesus” is penetrating and at a time when we tend to fell good about the annual food drive or dropping a few loose coins into the Salvation Army bucket, these lyrics remind me that this is what is expected every day and not just one “special” day. As Bebo Norman states, “… Jesus calls us to live that way all the time, not just Christmas.”
The entire album has a different perspective, however it is not meant to be all sullen and gloomy. There is much rejoicing and praising with respect to the birth of Jesus. Songs like “What Child Is This” and “Mary’s Prayer” remind us of this.
“Christmas: From the Realms of Glory” is a sensible and reflective offering for the season (and beyond). Although the foundation and theme of the CD is not typical, the sound is. Bebo Norman’s signature acoustic singer/songwriter style is the crux of the audio quality of the CD.
Centricity Records – “Bethlehem Skyline”
“Bethlehem Skyline” is a compilation from the Centricity roster of artists - Downhere, Circleslide, Jamie Jamagochian, Jason Gray, and Daniel Kirkly.
The CD starts off with a enlightening song titled “How Many Kings” that basically asks the question, how many kings have thrown down their sons for humanity, singing of the sacrifice of Christ which was the ultimate ending to the story of Christmas. Following it up is a song by Circleslide called “Jesus Is Born,” which the album title was pulled from.
The album contains original songs and reworked classics. All of the artists on the label did a wonderful job of presenting the Christmas message in song. My favorites included “Mary Did You Know,” “Joy to the World,” and “What Child Is This.” The collaboration of artists also joined together on “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.”
Overall, “Bethlehem Skyline” is an exciting project that highlights great Christmas songs and a high-caliber lineup of artist on a primarily independent label.
http://www.centricityrecords.com
This is an interesting project that at first kind of had me thinking, why in the world would I want to watch other peoples home movies? Nevertheless, I gave it a view and found that it was quite amusing.
Here is the back-story, producer/director Michael Davis collected vintage film and home movies at estate sales and then compiled the video to DVD. Then with the help of scriptwriter Denis Patton, they began to craft new stories around the footage. Bryan Duncan, a veteran Christian musician, recorded parts of the narration. Whiplash Records artist Jill Parr recorded the title song, however, the most fascinating thing was the fact that Davis edited the entire project while working on an adoption in Brazil.
The stories were heartwarming, and watching the old video did spur some memories of my own. However odd that it may be that these are strangers, the moments that were captured were real and the rawness of the home movies make “Christmas Memories” a very fascinating project.
The official web site is http://www.christmasmemories-themovie.com.