Beyond the Season

Garth Brooks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002V13
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,974 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #51 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Pop Vocal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The pop Christmas album is a lost art everywhere but in the country-western arena. You don't see today's rock acts reeling off sets of religious standards the way you used to--which is probably for the best. But even within the whole country milieu, since album release schedules aren't as fast-paced and casual as they once were, a good seasonal CD is something to latch onto. What we have here is a Christmas album of solid construction, packed with traditional songs and old-Nashville chestnuts. No surprises and no smash hits, but that's not what it's about. --Gavin McNett

Product Description

11 songs

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Christmas Record November 26, 2005

By Rodney

Format:Audio CD

Garth Brooks is (needless to say) one of the biggest stars ever in music. His record sales are (again needless to say) up there with Elvis, The Beatles and Elton John.

This album reached the top 3 back in Christmas 1992 and was still in the charts in the summer of 1993!! It's no surprise. This has to be one of the greatest Christmas CD's ever recorded.

The album opens with "Go Tell It On The Mountain", a story about the first ever Christmas, Brooks gives it his best shot and it works really well.

Oddly enough this album was recorded in July of 1993 in order to get it ready in time for Christmas. In an interview Brooks said he and his band put festive decorations up in the studio to make it feel like it was actually Christmas. This probably helped the sound of the album, such as the next two songs "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (an old Christmas classic) and "The Old Man's Back In Town" (an original Garth Brooks written Christmas tune) that is about another of the worlds most famous men - Santa Claus.

"The Gift" is a story of when Jesus was young, and about how people bring him gifts and the main focus is on a poor orphan girl, who ends up bringing a gift fit for the king of kings. It may sound corny, but it works really well and it is Christmas after all, so it's allowed.

The next track is "Unto You This Night". This is probably my favorite cut on the album if only for Garth's singing. He performs at his best and puts his heart and soul into this song. Backed by a gospel choir, this is very, very seasonal.

Next up, is one of the most popular songs of the season. "White Christmas". It is also one of the most covered songs of all-time. The first version was by Bing Crosby and since that time it has been recorded by almost everyone in the business from Kenny Rogers and Elvis Presley, to Orville The Duck and New Kids On The Block!

Garth's rendition of this song is first rate and even features an Elvis-like impersonation (at the very, very end), however, mostly it is pure Garth.

"The Friendly Beasts" is a story about the animals of the world recalling the story of Jesus as we get to hear various band members and co-songwriters vocal duet with Garth. This is a very interesting track, though probably not the best.

"Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" (written by Country legend, Buck Owens) is kinda Rock N Roll. It's a nice look through a young kids eyes when he sees who he thinks is Santa putting out presents on the night before Christmas. ("Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy, Or Daddy looks a lot like him. It's not the way I had him pictured, Santa was much too thin").

The next track is "Silent Night", another one of the most popular Christmas songs and/or hymns ever. Brooks once again does a great version and even included is a recollection of his favorite Christmas. (Spoken during an instrumental break).

Mary's Dream is a 60 second instrumental (short but sweet) that then takes us to the final song, "What Child Is This". Another story of Jesus' birth and another favorite of the season.

All in all, you can't go wrong with this CD. A must for all fans of Garth, Country Music, Christian music and Christmas music.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Garth bringing new meaning to many old favorites. November 11, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

I found Beyond the Season to be not only a great Christmas album, but another great country CD by one of the greatest artists of our time. My favorite song is "The Gift," bringing the true meaning of Christmas to us through the example of charity from a poor, lost child. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Only Garth Brooks can affect people so deeply through music. If you don't have it, get it...now!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Christmas Album From Garth Brooks November 23, 2004

By Jeffrey T. Munson

Format:Audio CD

I purchased this cd several years ago for my wife, and it is one of our favorite Christmas cds. From classic Christmas songs such as "Go Tell it on the Mountain", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", and "What Child is This" to more upbeat songs, such as "The Old Man's Back in Town" and "Santa Looked a lot Like Daddy", this cd has a little something for everyone.

An upbeat version of "White Christmas" is included, as well as Garth's version of "Silent Night", which includes a narrative of Garth explaining his Christmas of 1987 and his efforts to get home to Oklahoma despite a severe snowstorm.

My favorite song on the disc is "The Friendly Beasts", which includes backing vocals from Garth's band.

I highly recommend this fine Christmas album. I've been a big fan of Garth's for years, and he brings this collection of songs to life with his vocal talents and fine insturmentals. Put this festive cd in your cd player this Christmas and enjoy some contemporary favorites as well as some fun songs, too. You and your loved ones will surely enjoy it.