Christian music's version of the Eagles returns with a Christmas album. Chapman is a marketer's dream: he's southern enough for the country fans, loud enough for all but metal fans, pop enough for the adult contemporary crowd, and he actually practices the issues he preaches, having adopted three Chinese orphans, and heading a foundation that addresses the need of widows and orphans.
All I Really Want for Christmas is comprised of old classics rearranged to suit Chapman's vocals, and several contemporary songs composed by Chapman himself. His oldest Chinese daughter, Shaohannah, helps him open and close the album with a reading of the Christmas story from Luke, and a cute but shaky rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
"Go Tell It on the Mountain" is the best of the older songs, a semi-bluesy, semi-white boy funky portrayal. A duet with Vince Gill, "Christmas is All in the Heart", receives a dusting off with a new version (the song was originally done ten years ago). Like most of Chapman's recent records, some famous and talented guest stars appear: Byron House plays bass, and bluegrass legend Jerry Douglas adds dobro to this song. House also chips in on "The Night Before Christmas", another original piece.
The title track is the standout, though. Chapman's experiences in China will ring true with any adoptive parent when they read lines such as these:
But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with
Maybe they could teach me how to get along
And from everything I've heard it sounds like the greatest gift on earth
Would be a mom. Or:
'Cause all I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
Tell me I'll never be alone, someone whose love will never end
Of all that I could ask for, well, there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family.
Many reviewers have taken potshots at Chapman over the years, referring to him as "safe" or "bland." Having been to China to adopt a child, I just can't jump on that bandwagon. These words, as well as a few other songs of late, have melted this cynical reviewer's heart toward SCC. He'll get the benefit of the doubt from me for years to come.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Joe MontagueSteven Curtis Chapman's All I Really Want For Christmas boasts four original tunes by the singer / songwriter and stylized arrangements on several traditional tunes. In recent years Chapman has gone from being a good entertainer to being a superb songwriter. "All I Really Want," the title track, is an example of that excellence in songwriting and serves as a reminder that so many children in our…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Jon RiceSteven Curtis Chapman and Christmas just seem to go together for me now. His honest passion for putting the Word to song was custom made for the celebration of Christ's birth. All I Really Want... is his second collection of holiday songs offering some old and some new, however this time there is a campaign for adoption awareness. The Chapmans are huge advocates for adoption as they have added to…Similar sounding releases
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