Michael W Smith - Christmas Album

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Music reviews of Christmas Album

Music Review: A classic Christmas recording.
Rating: 5 Stars

But MWS is much more of an artist than that. His concept was treating the album as a unity, as is evidenced in the opener, "Overture," which, like a great score to a musical film or stage show, synthesizes the major melodic themes from across the entire album as way of a "overview" of what is to come.

Each track on this album compliments the others. "Lux Venit," featuring a boys choir, is almost the introduction of characters in a good drama. "Anthem for Christmas" follows, which raises the "dramatic" action to end the "first act." "Act II" opens with the 4th track, "First Snowfall," an instrumental that allows the listener to settle once again. But "Christ the Messiah" steps up the action once again. So when "No Eye Had Seen" follows, the heart has been properly prepared to receive the "awe-inspiring" mood MWS so aptly sets and continues with the simple yet even more reverent and mood-provoking "All Is Well."

There are several more songs that build to the "dramatic climax" of this work: "Gloria." Here MWS favors a less-orchestrated execution, a much-interesting choice that lends an "understatement" to "Gloria's" glorious arrangement. I have personally performed "Gloria" as part of a major choir and full orchestra. "Gloria" is so well-crafted that when expanded to this level of arrangement, it not only held its own but nearly "stole the show."

Oh, and ignore that this recording is from 1989. Meaningless. After the 4th or 5th listening, when the style and spirit of the work begins to "sink in," you'll realize that time has no bearing on either its composition or production value.

What to say? Simple. Buy this CD. No-brainer.

Description of Christmas Album