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 By Kevin Pollard
• Sara Groves: O Holy Night, INO
 ALTHOUGH not known by the masses, Sara Groves is one of
the most respected singer/songwriters in contemporary Christian music. Her
first Christmas album showcases her unique folk/pop sound on perennial
favourites, and four originals. I give her credit for original arrangements
on classics like ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’
and a beautiful, soothing ‘Silent Night.’ But some melodies are
altered to the point where they are hardly recognizable – which had
me drifting away from any fond Christmas memories the lyrics invoked. The
best tracks are her own songs: ‘It’s True,’ which
affirms the nativity story; ‘To Be With You,’ depicting
family life at Christmas; and one that hit home for me, on the frustrations
of ‘Toy Packaging.’
saragroves.com
• Amy Grant: The Christmas Collection, EMI
 If any artist warrants a greatest hits Christmas album,
it’s Amy Grant. Over the last 25 years, she has sold a total of five
million Christmas albums, between her 1983, 1992 and 1999 releases. For
this CD, she selected 12 of her favourites from her digitally remastered
catalog. Of course, originals like ‘Breath of Heaven,’
‘Grown-Up Christmas List,’ and ‘Tennessee
Christmas’ are included, alongside orchestral arrangements of
classics like ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’ But it is the inclusion
of four great new songs that makes this a worthy offering: an energetic and
erratic ‘Jingle Bells’; ‘I Need a Silent Night,’ a
plea to stop the ‘business’ of Christmas; the romantic jazz of
‘Baby it’s Christmas’; and the London Session
Orchestra’s contribution on ‘Count Your Blessings.’
amygrant.com
• Faith Hill: Joy to the World, Warner
 The first Christmas album from this country superstar
was two years in the making, and has all the elements to make it one of the
most anticipated releases this holiday season: the Nashville Orchestra,
London-based choirs, Metro Voices and The London Oratory School Boys Choir
– along with production from Grammy Award winner David Campbell
(Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash). But although the
orchestration is lush, and Hill’s vocal delivery is strong on
classics such as ‘Joy to the World,’ ‘Away in a
Manger,’ ‘What Child is This,’ ‘Little Drummer
Boy’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ there is nothing fresh
or unique here. The highlight of the album is the lone original song,
‘A Baby Changes Everything.’ It tells a touching and powerful
story, and is sure to be a hit on both country and Christian radio during
the Christmas season. Some of the arrangements here reminded me of an Amy
Grant album – but without Grant’s timeless delivery.
faithhill.com
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• Gaither Vocal Band: Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style, Gaither
 The Gaither Vocal Band offer up their second Christmas
album. The harmonies here are great, as expected; but they have opted for a
smooth jazz and acappella sound on most arrangements here, rather than
their signature southern gospel. Unlike their previous effort, Still the Greatest Story Ever Told, the songs are mostly classics like ‘Winter
Wonderland,’ ‘White Christmas’ and ‘O Holy
Night.’ The only country-flavored tracks are ‘Christmas in the
Country’ and ‘Come and See What’s Happenin’.’
The latter song, and ‘My Heart Would be Your Bethlehem,’
are the only newer songs – but they’re bland and
uninspired. However, there are two flawless acappella selections:
‘Carol Medley’ and ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem.’
√ gaither.com
December 2008
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