Sounds of Christmas 2004

By Mark Weber
Guest Reviewer

CBN.com – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when you visit stores and Web sites (for the more modern shoppers) and see all sorts of new Christmas CDs. This year’s crop of new releases includes something for everyone, as usual.

Independent artist Peder Eide has an inviting disc called Christmas Come On In, and though his voice may not be up to professional standards on a few tracks, he does a cover version of David Meece’s “One Small Child,” which is the kind of song people will seek out if they hear it on the radio because it fits the spirit of the season perfectly. Eide also sings “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” “In The Bleak Midwinter,” and “White Christmas” on “Christmas Come On In.” For the most part, Eide sounds like a well-meaning but nasal vocalist on this gentle disc.

The Katinas, a group of five brothers who grew up on the islands of American Samoa in the South Pacific, have a slightly nasal sound too, but it lends itself well to their appealing R&B/smooth jazz/funk versions of songs like “Mary, Did You Know?,” “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” and “Christmas Is Here,” an upbeat number written by Sam, Joe and James Katina, on A Family Christmas (Gotee). You can sense that these men loved making this endearing album full of heartfelt ballads and peppy, upbeat numbers. Fans of The Jacksons, ‘N Sync, and Lionel Richie will want to pick up “Christmas Is Here,” as The Katinas show great energy and passion on ten well-produced Christmas songs.

Andrew Peterson was passionate about communicating the story of the coming of God. He wanted to bring together songs to help listeners hear an “old, old story with fresh, new ears.” So he enlisted the help of some friends, including fellow artists Jill Phillips, Fernando Ortega, and Derek Webb, to put together a concept album with songs in chronological order that help tell the story of Jesus’ birth. It’s called Behold The Lamb Of God: The True Tall Tale Of The Coming Of Christ, (Fervent), and is worth checking out, especially for its intricate instrumentation, and songs like “The Holly And The Ivy” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Kim Hill also covers “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” on her disc, “Real Christmas” (Spirit-Led). With her deep, stirring voice (a cross between Kathy Troccoli and Anne Murray) covering such classics as “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “I Wonder As I Wander,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” a strong guitar-driven duet with Phil Keaggy, Hill comes across as a voice of experience on Real Christmas.

Russ Lee has been having several intense experiences recently, ministering in the Middle East, entertaining and encouraging troops at war. But he’s also been busy making music, too. He recently started his own label, launched by his first-ever Christmas recording, Hear Those Bells (Vertical Vibe). Original selections include “Angel In The Snow” and “Pictures On Mantles.” The former lead vocalist of the groups NewSong and Truth also covers classics like “Do You Hear What I Hear?” He said wanted to do a Christmas album “that reflects the warm heart of a family holiday and also captures a world of different musical styles,” and he succeeded.

Compilations, which often feature different musical styles, are always popular at Christmas time, and Absolute Favorite Christmas (Fervent) brings together “25 holiday favorites from today’s top artists,” 16 of which are brand new. You’ll hear the following songs from this two-disc compilation on Christian radio stations: Big Daddy Weave’s “Christ Is Come,” BarlowGirl’s “O Holy Night,” and Tree63’s “What Child Is This?” Bonus cuts include tracks from Enter The Worship Circle, Jessie Daniels, and Kate Miner. “Absolute Favorite Christmas” presents lots of young, hip, alternative Christian music artists, like Jennifer Knapp (“Sing Mary Sing”) and Todd Agnew (“Bethlehem Dawn”), but also appeals to people of all ages, with selections like Jim Brickman’s “Joy To The World,” an instrumental piano ballad, and Erin O’Donnell’s “Angels We Have Heard On High.”

Of course, this list would not be complete without mentioning Family Christmas Memories, from Integrity Music. The two-CD collection features 26 holiday favorites from Don Moen, Darlene Zachech, Bob Fitts, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and others. And with each purchase, you'll be helping CBN and The 700 Club spread the Gospel around the world.

There are plenty of Christmas CDs featuring both classics and original songs this season, from a wide variety of artists. May the sounds of the 2004 holiday season warm your heart and bless your soul.