Customer Reviews

Christmas Album

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD was a real departure for Michael W. Smith. Released right after his i2(eye) CD, it was a complete style change - from 80's pop/rock to a choral sound. I must admit at first I was really disappointed, but the CD has grown on me until it's become one of my favorites.

This CD sounds more like a choral album then an artist driven solo project. In fact, Michael doesn't even have all the solos. The music is full orchestra for a Christmas pageant feel. There are very few traditional carols on here, except in instrumental form. As a result, it takes several listens before it sounds remotely Christmassy. However, there are some powerful lyrics in the new songs that remind me of the wonder of the first Christmas. And "Gloria" is a fun rendition of the classic "Angels We Have Heard on High" that I have heard performed many times by choirs since this came out.

Definitely buy this CD, but give it some time before you make up your mind about it. I'm certainly glad I did because I look forward to hearing it every Christmas.

As I sat on a train bound for Illinois in November of 1989, I couldn't wait to listen and see what MWS would do on a Christmas Album. At first I was so surprised at what I found, but after listening to it over a dozen times while on that train trip, I realized that this was some of the best Christmas music I had ever heard. I couldn't stop listening. It captures your heart and transports you to another time and place, of Christmas' past. It infact does sound like an awesome movie soundtrack, and I remember him saying back when this was released that he wanted to compose movie soundtracks. This was maybe his first shot at it. Due to the overwhelming quality of music on this CD, MWS may be under using his unbelievable talent and I beg of someone to offer him the opportunity. I also wish Michael would do more recordings like this. You will enjoy this masterpiece, and not just at Christmastime! Be prepared to have a wonderful experience listening to this, some of his very best work!

This is a very good album overall, but one song, "All Is Well" absolutely blows the lid off and lands this CD a solid 5 stars rather than the 4 (also quite good) that it would have gotten from me without this song. This is one of the most incredible compositions I've ever heard -- it spectacularly combines a boys' choir with a chorus of men, starting with a lone solo young boy singing clearly. The song crescendoes into a brilliant climax and I get chill bumps every time. "No Eye Had Seen," the duet with Amy Grant, is also fantastic. If I had to choose only four Christmas CDs, this would likely be one of them, the others being Amy Grant's "A Christmas Album," Sandi Patti's "The Gift Goes On" and Steven Curtis Chapman's "The Music of Christmas" (which is jaw-droppingly good).

This will probably be the highwater mark in Michael W. Smith's career because this is truly a magical Christmas album. The music, the lyrics, even Smith's modest vocals all work to make this one of my all-time favorite Christmas CDs. Standouts from the album include "Christ The Messiah," "No Eye Had Seen," and the simple yet incredibly beautiful "All Is Well." That last piece is worth the price of the CD. Smith, who in my opinion, is a better musician than a vocalist, really has created his masterwork here. The production is lush and the tone is absolutely perfect. A modern Christmas classic that you will never tire of.

Gloria is an absolute masterpiece. I enjoyed all the songs but Gloria is my favorite! Michael has done a wonderful arrangement on the old classic Christmas song. I saw MWS in concert Dec. 3 at MCI Center in Washington DC & this song was performed magnificently! It gave me chills. We need to hear more!

In my opinion, this is the finest Christmas album ever produced, and by far the high point of Michael W. Smith's impressive career. There are not enough superlatives to describe it: the majesty of it is breathtaking. At points, it simply sweeps you away. It is at once fully modern and almost classical. It is utterly unique.

Additionally, fans of Smith will note that this was the capstone of the "sound" he portrayed in the 1980s. He shifted gears pretty dramatically after this.

This album really is timeless, powerful, worshipful, and must not be missed. Despite its uniqueness, there's nothing trendy to it, and it will last through the ages.

What Michael W. Smith captures on this C.D.is angelic! This by far has become my favorite Christmas alblum of all time. Jesus is the reason for the season, and yes this C.D.is very spiritual.So, if you've heard "Jingle Bell Rock"one time too many,and you're looking for music that will inspire and refresh this one's for you. Michael is joined by The American Boys Choir School,The Nashville Festival Orchestra as well as his longtime friend Amy Grant. My favorite cut is "All is Well"a solo by Nathan Wadley of The Boys Choir.One of the most beautiful songs I've ever listened to. This C.D. is a remarkable work of art!

Spectacular. Still.
I look forward to listening to this CD every Christmas season and it hasn't let me down yet. It stands virtually unparalleled for its scope and sequence.
In a clear departure from his previous Contemporary Christian sound, which itself had been ratcheted up a notch with _The Big Picture_ and _i2eye_, Smith delivers a thoughtful, introspective, and diverse set of songs--majestic one moment, intimate the next. He steps aside and lets his arranging and songwriting do the work: choral, instrumental, duet--it's all here.
The choral "Overture" is a grand affair, "Lux Venit"continues that choral feel (with gorgeous lyrics), "Anthem for Christmas" is, well, "anthemic." "First Snowfall" is a beautiful instrumental piano piece that recalls some of his earlier instrumental numbers. "Christ the Messiah" returns to the epic sound from the first couple of tracks, "No Eye Had Seen" is a duet with Amy Grant that previews "All is Well," a stunning boy's choir number with an equally stunning solo by one of the choir's members. It is simply chilling (in a good way). Another instrumental medley of carols shows Smith's composing and arranging skills, "Gloria" confirms those arranging skills, with a take on "Angels We Have Heard on High." The disc concludes with quite possibly the most striking song on the CD: "Silent Night." It is a stunningly simple arrangement, brief, not cluttered up with sappy vocals or the cliched lyrics.. Smith brings out the profound simplicity of the season with this solo piano arrangement, brief though it is. Longer and/or louder would have been too much--it is the perfect closing to a near-perfect effort.
It just doesn't get any better than this for Christmas CDs, and only two or three others are in the conversation for me.

This CD stands out in my mind as one of the best of Michael W. Smith's career, and one of my personal favorites. From the opening notes of "Overture/O Come All Ye Faithful" to the closing notes of "Silent Night," this is a musicaal masterpiece. Two of my favorites on here are "No Eye Had Seen" (a beautiful duet with Amy Grant), and "Gloria" (Michael's version of "Angels We Have Heard On High.) If you don't already have this, I definitely recommend getting it.

All of the reviews here speak for themselves. If you want to hear the most magical, majestic, and utterly beautiful Christmas album ever produced, pick this up. This music is entirely unlike MWS's radio/pop stuff; it is instead almost entirely orchestral/choral in nature. The man really can compose! Smith's recording will warm up many a holiday season and bring chills to your spine.