From the Heart of Worship Classics series come two Christmas collections, each offering new renditions of Christmas favorites.
25 Christmas Songs You Love To Sing is over an hour's worth of traditional music of the season that should offer wide appeal. Included are the songs "O Holy Night," "The Angel Medley" (consisting of many Yuletide favorites such as "First Noel" and "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"), and "Birth Medley" (which is comprised of hymns such as "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Joy To The World").
One of the most beautiful tracks is the hymn "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne," which is performed in a very simple arrangement. I liked that because it seemed more like what I'm used to hearing at church. I found it somewhat hard to sing along with a few of the tunes, as they have several minor key accompaniments, and some have descants that threw me at first. However, all are done in a range that is suitable for the average voice, and will probably inspire most listeners to join in.
The contemporary and popular "Joseph's Song" and "Breath Of Heaven" fit in very nicely with the more classical pieces such as "Of The Father's Love Begotten." They may be unfamiliar enough to most listeners to make singing along a little more difficult-even though the title does imply that one would recognize and be able to enjoy the collection in that way.
I really liked the album and suggest that it would be appropriate for background music to a party, for doing household season chores, or other holiday activities.
A Cappella Christmas Classics sports songs performed in a typical a cappella style, yet each has it's own uniqueness. A few, like "O Come O Come Emmanuel," "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks," and "What Child Is This?" are more upbeat and jazzy than others on the album, but most are done in a more traditional and reverent arrangement. These two are some of the prettiest arrangements I've heard. The selection of "I Wonder As I Wander" is quite beautiful and expressive, too. The favorites of "Silent Night," "Away In A Manger," and "Angels we Have Heard On High" are performed in dignified and close harmony, sure to please the ear. I would recommend this inspirational holiday collection to anyone looking for seasonal music that is contemporary in arrangement yet worshipful in nature.
