Praytell – It’s Almost Christmas, Vol. 2
Dec 15, 2018 CD Reviews
Praytell – It’s Almost Christmas, Vol. 2
“It’s Almost Christmas, Vol. 2” is a festive and heartfelt holiday treat. The duo, Praytell, bring you to their parlor to celebrate with them while their “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” roasting chestnuts on an open fire on “The Christmas Song/I’ll Be Seeing You,” or frolicking through the trees on a ‘one horse open sleigh.’ Overall, this is a very intimate collection of songs and the duo’s style is very pleasant. This is exemplified as they close out the album tenderly with “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and “Silent Night.”
For more on Praytell and Vol.2 of their holiday hits, check out their official website: https://www.praytellmusic.com/
– Ken W.
Matt Maher – The Advent of Christmas
Dec 15, 2018 CD Reviews
Matt Maher – The Advent of Christmas
Essence Records
This is a bit of an elaborate project and it has a mix of traditional holiday music and more thematic songs of the Savior. The album starts with “Gabriel’s Song,” an emotive reflection of the birth of Christ as it was conveyed through the angel Gabriel. Further on Maher switches gear and gets more traditional with a jazzy “Jingle Bells.” The album swings back and forth like this through a total of 13 songs and near 50 minutes of music. Overall, Maher’s desire was to weave the theme of Advent throughout this project.
“From the very beginning and through the history of Christianity, the season of Advent has been a way of remembering (more fully) the mystery of God becoming human. Long before the Macy’s Day Parade, red Starbucks cups and The Elf on a Shelf, Christians marked the passage of time in the four weeks before Christmas by remembering and embracing the sense of anticipation around the arrival of the promised Messiah; to prepare for the coming of Jesus.
Overall, “The Advent of Christmas” is probably one of the most elaborate and in-depth new releases this season. For more on this new album check out Matt Maher’s official website at https://www.mattmahermusic.com/.
– Ken W.
Hannah Kerr – Christmas Eve in Bethlehem
Dec 15, 2018 CD Reviews
Hannah Kerr – Christmas Eve in Bethlehem
Black River Christian
“Christmas Eve in Bethlehem” was instantly one of my favorite new holiday releases for 2018 simply because of Kerr’s very traditional vocal stylings on songs like “Winter Wonderland” and the jazzy “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
However, it was cemented in as my top choice once I dug in and started hearing her arrangements and personal stylings on “O Come O Come Emmanuel.” The more contemporary chorus she’s added was so deeply moving it literally gave me goosebumps. Following that is a beautify rendition of “Breath of Heaven” that was spot on with the original. The new album also includes two original songs that Kerr co-wrote, “Emmanuel” and the title track “Christmas Eve in Bethlehem.”
“Christmas Eve in Bethlehem” is doubly blessed with excellent song selection and a attitude of worship fitting for the King of Kings, Emmanuel.
For more on Hannah Kerr visit http://www.hannahkerrmusic.com/
– Ken W.
David Dunn – Star
Dec 15, 2018 CD Reviews
David Dunn – Star
BEC Recordings
This 5 song EP consists of 3 covers and 2 originals all with a very “minimalistic” but creative sound. The songs could easily stand alone with David’s voice and the accompanying piano and/or guitar, but the more programed sounding layers do add some enjoyable elements. For instance, on “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” the accompanying soundtrack gives it an airier, progressive-pop sound rather than the traditional vocal style. It’s a rather cool and respectful rendition of a classic. The two originals included on the album are “Snowflake” and “Star.” The later, “Star,” is purportedly inspired by the traditional “We Three Kings.”
According to Dunn, “Star is a song inspired by the traditional Christmas song, We Three Kings. I was trying to dig deeper into the minds of these ancient astrologers and try to see the star’s appearance through their eyes. What they would have felt, how they would they have reacted, and what they have thought when the star lead them to a dirty smelly cave (stable).”
For more on David Dunn and “Star,” visit http://www.daviddunnmusic.com/
