Stars: 5 out of 5Pros: Great arrangements of classic Christmas songs
Cons: Could use more original tracks
The Bottom Line:
Second Christmas disc
Could use more originals
But still has magic
Instant Christmas
Some Christmas albums find the right mix orchestra,
arrangements, and song selection to feel like Christmas the very first time you
hear them. Winter Wonderland, the second Christmas project from Christian music artist
Point of Grace, is one of those times.
Of course, it probably helps that out of the ten tracks,
only one of them is a new song. "Let there be Light" is a fun, upbeat
song talking about Jesus coming as the Light of the World into a world dark
with sin. Nothing terribly original message wise, but put together in a fun
way.
Several other tracks on here are rarely recorded songs. The
female quartet do covers of Amy Grant Christmas classics "Breath of
Heaven" about Mary's insecurities on being the mother of Jesus and her
different arrangement of "Little Town." In addition, they cover
Michael W. Smith's "All is Well" and Glad's "In the First
Light." With their trademark harmonies, these ladies give all these songs
fresh takes, especially "In the First Light," which is breathtaking.
And, of course, no Christmas album would be complete without
traditional songs. They've got a fun new version of "Jingle Bells"
that reminds be of Bing Crosby's classic rendition. The "Santa
Medley" and "Winter Wonderland" are also fun, upbeat versions of
these familiar songs.
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is a
wonderful first song for the project. It so expertly captures the feel of the
holidays and the great orchestration really puts you in the Christmas mood
right away.
Rounding out the ten tracks is their version of Handel's
"For Unto Us." This isn't one of my favorite songs period, so this is
my least favorite track here.
I was hoping to see some new songs on here, but in the end
this that minor complaint doesn't bother me because the music here is wonderful.
I can already tell Winter Wonderland will become a treasured part of my exploding
Christmas music collection.
Running time:
43:40
Tracks:
1) It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
2) Winter Wonderland
3) Let there be Light
4) Jingle Bells
5) Breath of Heaven
6) In the First Light
7) Santa Medley (Here Comes Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman,
Rudolph the Red-Noses Reindeer)
8) Little Town
9) For Unto Us
10) All is Well
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