Christmas Collection

Michael W. Smith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Reunion
• ASIN: B0002X7GHK
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,009 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Overture/O Come All Ye Faithful

2. Lux Venit

3. Anthem for Christmas

4. First Snowfall

5. Christ the Messiah

6. No Eye Had Seen

7. All Is Well

8. Memoirs a Trilogy: The Voice/Good King Wenceslaus/Hark the Herald ...

9. Gloria

10. Silent Night

Disc: 2

1. The Happiest Christmas

2. Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells

3. Christmastime

4. Welcome to Our World

5. Hope of Israel

6. Medley: Sing We Now of Christmas/O Come O Come Emmanuel/Emmanuel

7. O Christmas Tree

8. Christmas Waltz

9. We Three Kings

10. Medley: Away in a Manger/Child in the Manger

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Christmas Classics in One Collection, November 11, 2005

By 

Duane S. Montague "Duane" (WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Collection (Audio CD)

Michael W. Smith's two holiday releases, the first entitled "CHRISTMAS" and the second "CHRISTMASTIME," are two of the finest ever released. That's a pretty bold statement to make, considering the number of Christmas releases there have been over the years, but easy to say when an artist contributes a multiplicty of now-classic songs to the Christmas canon.

The first album, CHRISTMAS, was released in 1989, shortly after the album i (2) EYE. The piano-driven style of Smith's pop music (and his penchant for instrumentals evidenced on all of his releases, including his first album) may seem at odds with the songs on this first release.

Working closely with arranger Ronn Huff, as well as the American Boychoir (who Smith would use again shortly afterward with the original recording of his worship song "Agnus Dei"), Smith fashions a work of incredible orchestral and choral beauty. Although his voice (never his strongest suit) sometimes jars against the loveliness of the vocal arrangements, the sheer gall with which he created the work earns him extra points for chutzpah.

Opening with a major choral/orchestral arrangement of "O Come All Ye Faithful," (with the "Gloria" theme that will echo later in the album quite prominent), Smith follows up with one of his finest (and most unusual) songs: "Lux Venit." The song uses the Latin text ("Behold your light has come"), boychoir, and a lovely counterpoint melody/chorus to highlight the "light" of Christmas. A few nice compositions follow ("Anthem for Christmas" with lyrics by Gloria Gaither, as well as the Handel-esque "Christ the Messiah").

But the highlight of the album begins with the one-two punch of "No Eye Had Seen," a duet with frequent colloborator Amy Grant that soars to its glorious conclusion, and the haunting, beautiful, "All is Well," which has now been recorded by everyone from Amy Grant to Michael Crawford (and performed by countless church choirs over the years). "All is Well" is simply one of the most beautiful songs ever composed, and its words of peace and hope stir even the most jaded heart. Smith ends the first disc with an instrumental medley which segues into "Gloria," a reworking of "Angels We Have Heard on High," which still mixes in choir, orchestra, and boychoir. A contemplative (and short) version of "Silent Night" ends the album. The songs "All is Well," "No Eye Had Seen," "Lux Venit," and "Gloria," make this disc alone worth the purchase price.

The second collection was released in 1998. "CHRISTMASTIME" paints much broader strokes than the first collection. Opening with sweeping strings and a somewhat melancholy wistfulness in Smith's singing is the obscure chestnut, "The Happiest Christmas." Quite lovely. Taking a page from the classic "ANDY WILLIAMS CHRISTMAS ALBUM," Smith follows this quiet song with the upbeat 1960's feel of "KAY THOMPSON'S JINGLE BELLS," which is almost an exact match of Andy Williams' original recording. It feels more like an homage than a rip-off, however.

Michael's next now-classic composition is "Christmastime," which uses boychoir, lush orchestra, soaring choir, and an absolutely beautiful melody to perfect effect. One of the all-time greats and one of the few great "new" Christmas songs. Ending quietly, the song segues nicely into Chris Rice's original song "Welcome to Our World," a simple and quiet song welcoming the Christ child.

"Hope of Israel" is a lush orchestral piece (with piano-based melody), followed by the "Sing We Now of Christmas" medley. Originally arranged for a Word Records compilation, Smith reworks the song using boychoir on "Sing We Now..." and great haunting voices on the tune of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." The medley ends with Smith singing his original composition (which first appeared on Amy Grant's first Christmas album), "Emmanuel." He does a nice job on it, but the key to the tune is the "Sing We Now..." boychoir.

Guitar legend Phil Keaggy joins Smith for "O Christmas Tree" (an instrumental), and Sandy Patty duets with Smith for the classic Christmas song, "The Christmas Waltz," which has a very nice traditional feel to it. The instrumental "We Three Kings" follows.

The one-two-three punch of "Away in a Manger/Child in the Manger" and "Carols Sing," come as a surprise following the robustness of the duet. "Child in the Manger" has a somewhat "dark" melody line, but "Carols Sing" is a beautiful piece sung by the boychoir.

The finale is a rousing, Celtic-inspired arrangement of "I Saw Three Ships" which sends the listener out soaring. Showcasing Smith's arranging and instrumental prowess, this last number is one of the highlights of the collection.

For the songs "Christmastime" and "Welcome to Our World," this album is also a Christmas-season classic. And while the first is much more classical in its feel, the second is much more accessible to a a wider audience.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2 beautiful CD's, October 22, 2004

By 

S. J. Roberts (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christmas Collection (Audio CD)

these are two beautiful CD's but beware, they are re-releases of Michael's previous Christmas CD's.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking, December 1, 2004

By 

April Jean "April Jean" (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Collection (Audio CD)

The Christmas Collection cds (there are two in this "collection") by Michael W. Smith are truly breathtaking. It is some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard in my life. It honors the birth of Jesus so perfectly and reverently as opposed to all the "holiday" stuff that is out there. I grew up listening to Michael W. Smith, and while he is not my favorite singer, his singing takes backseat and his ability to compose & orchestrate perfect music and play the piano shines. I am certain that this cd will be a Christmas favorite for my husband, our children and me for years and years to come. Also, I am so glad it consists of both of his Christmas cds because they are both so wonderful that I could never pick one over the other!!