It's a Wonderful Christmas

Michael W. Smith (Composer), Christmas Traditional (Composer), David Hamilton (Conductor), Skip Cleavinger (Performer), James Gregory (Performer), Craig Nelson (Performer), Paul Liem (Performer), Sam Bacco (Performer), Adam Lester (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Skip Cleavinger, James Gregory, Craig Nelson, Paul Liem, Sam Bacco, et al.
• Conductor: David Hamilton
• Composer: Michael W. Smith, Christmas Traditional
• Audio CD (October 16, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reunion
• ASIN: B000VS6P5A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,587 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2007 holiday release from one of the most popular Contemporary Christian Music artists of all time. It's A Wonderful Christmas features nine original songs and one standard performed by Michael and a 67-piece orchestra, recorded at London's famous Abbey Road Studios. This album is perhaps the most anticipated seasonal release this year, so don't be left out in the cold without it! Columbia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Third Wonderful Christmas Release, October 16, 2007

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It's a Wonderful Christmas (Audio CD)

Michael W. Smith has released two previous Christmas CDs, and they are staples of my December. This new release will be taking an honored place beside them in my December rotation.

This release is a combination of his two previous releases. It mixes the choral feeling of the first one with the pop of the second one. And, as something new, he mixes in lots of instrumental pieces. 5 of the 11 songs are fully instrumental. But the orchestra sounds wonderful.

What is truly amazing is that this release sounds Christmassy from start to finish from the very first listen. Only one track, "What Child is This" is a traditional piece. Michael wrote or co-wrote everything else. Yet everything feels like an old familiar friend.

Some of the instrumental tracks sound like the soundtrack to a movie. And one feels like a missing piece from the Nutcracker.

Of the other songs, most focus on the birth of Christ. They are wonderful choir pieces. "Christmas Day" focuses on our modern Christmas celebration, and it brings a smile to my face as I think about all the traditions. Finally, the disc closes with "All Year Long," a quiet song that wishes us the happiness of Christmas the rest of the year.

This is a great release. Buy it and enjoy it for Christmases to come.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Christmas cd....Long Awaited...Amazing !!!, October 16, 2007

By 

Jay C (sacramento) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's a Wonderful Christmas (Audio CD)

It's A Wonderful Christmas WOW!! Well worth the wait. It has been almost 10 years since Michael W. Smith released "Christmas time". Michael's previous releases "Christmas" (in 1989) and "Christmastime" (in 1998) are standard Christmas music during Tree decorating and present wrapping at my home.

Both his previous releases are in my opinion are modern masterpieces. His new release does not disappoint. This release is a more epic,classical work with four amazing choirs, among them a 100-voice choir and also a 16-member London boy's choir directed by John Tobin, and a 67-piece orchestra at London's Abbey Road studios.


John Williams is one of Michael's hero's and it really comes though. The album has a "John Williams" feel interwoven in the tracks. In preparing for his new Christmas collection, he wanted to create an album with the lush arrangements and powerful orchestral sounds that he heard listening to his favorite Christmas records as a child. I have to agree, as I listen to this cd I am reminded of many Christmas memories and Imagery of the Christmas season.

Michael a master of blending and reinventing music to bring something new. I also appreciate the way he gives Christmas music profound reverence and respect. Tops most Christmas releases because of Michael's passion for music,giving it that Christmas feeling and epic sound. Michael has captured the Christmas spirit in this one!

The Album features 11 songs with nine original tracks.

"Christmas Day" featuring a duet with American Idol's Mandisa is amazing!
"What Child Is This" absolutely Beautiful!!
"All Year Long" another fantastic track!!

Wondering about "Audrey's Gift"? It is a song that he wrote at the last minute for his Granddaughter right before the album was released.
This Christmas release is one of the best in recent memory. It's a Wonderful Christmas is a must-have addition to any Christmas music buyer's collection. Curl up in front of the fireplace with this CD playing!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 90% brand new Christmas Songs!, November 23, 2007

By 

R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It's a Wonderful Christmas (Audio CD)

This may be the best 2007 Christmas release. 9 of the 10 songs on this CD are brand new and I suspect we'll be hearing a lot of these for the next few years. The songs with vocals have a great choral feel. The five instrumentals are beautifully orchestrated. Overall, this is a wonderfully listenable CD--even if you love the classic Christmas songs, these new ones feel as comfortable as my favorite slippers.