Joy

Avalon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B00004YL5P
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,361 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

From the opening moments of the electronically influenced "Joy (to the World)," it's clear that Avalon has set out to offer a production that stands out among Christmas albums. This assessment is sealed with the next song, "The Angel's Medley." It begins with a standard "First Noël" solemnity, and climaxes into a funk-disco rendition of "Hark the Herald Angles Sing," in which one can imagine the four members of this quartet sporting their flashiest silk duds. But that is not to say that Joy: A Christmas Collection doesn't have its standard Christmas trappings. Accompanied by the London Session Orchestra, this record comes complete with all of the harps, bells, and strings-simulated snow flurries that anyone could want. With the added fireside glow and up-front energy of Avalon's dazzling vocal expertise, this disc is sure to cause anyone to break out the hot chocolate, roast some chestnuts, and bust some good dance moves around the Christmas tree. --Israel Button

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!!, October 9, 2000

By 

Terry (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joy (Audio CD)

Avalon is one of my favorite CCM groups, and when I heard they were coming out with a christmas album, I couldn't wait to get it! Now I finally have it, and it's one of the best christmas cds I've heard. My favorites on collection are Joy(to the world), The Angels Medley, Light a Candle, and Don't save it all for Christmas day. It is hard to choose favorites though, since it's all fantasic!

Joy (to the World)- This song is really up beat! I love it. It really gives off the holiday feel! Their voices really blend well.

The Angels Medley- This is a great mix of The first noel, Angels we have heard on high, and hark the herald angels sing. It's cool how it starts out soft and slow, and then rises to a hip hop carol!

Don't save it all for Christmas Day- This song is one of the most beautiful christmas songs I know. The whole message just gets to you. Jody does a great vocal job here. The overall song is so gorgous.

Jesus Born on this Day- The song is very pretty. The choirs that sing with Avalon on this add a great touch. This one is very well done.

Winter Wonderland- You can tell that Avalon really gets into this one! It has alot of energy in it. It has the same sound of Point of Grace's "Santa Clause is comin' to town".

Light a Candle- Great song! It has a very rich harmony in it. I love the message of this one also.

Good News- This one isn't one of my ultimate favorites, but I like it just as well. It has good harmony with the choirs.

The Christmas Song- This is one of my favorite christmas classics, and I'm glad they decided to put it on the cd.

Manger Medley- This is a very good mix of O come O come Emmanuel, Away in a manger, O little town of Bethlehem, and Silent night. Although not as up beat as the Angels Medley, it is still well made. The orchestra is fantastic on this song.

We are the Reason- To conclude the album, this song is very fitting. A very beautiful message; we are the reason Christ came to die for us.

This collection of gorgous christmas classics and new carols will be played in many homes during the holidays. That I'm sure. Avalon is a very talented group, and spreading God's love makes it even better. I can't wait till Oxygen (thier next studio release) comes out! God bless!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Christmas CD Around!, September 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Joy (Audio CD)

I received an early copy of this CD about four months ago (in June) and, as hard as it is to get into the Christmas spirit in the middle of Summer, it hasn't left my CD changer yet! This is one of the best possible combinations of Christmas songs and styles put together to date. The four amazing voices of Avalon (Jody McBrayer, Janna Potter, Cherie Paliotta, and Michael Passons) come together to form some of the most amazing vocal experiences you'll ever hear. This recording features both original songs (Joy, Good News, etc...) and classic favorites (Angels We Have Heard On High, The Christmas Song, etc...). The album also represents a large range of musical genres. From the big band feel of "Winter Wonderland," to the slick pop production of "Joy," to the jazzy "Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," to the choral "Good News." One amazing highlight is the first single from the album "Don't Save it All For Christmas Day" sung by powerhouse tenor, Jody McBrayer. If you like Avalon at all or you like Christmas music at all (and especially if you like both!) pick up a copy of Joy: A Christmas Collection!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could you ask for more?, November 7, 2000

By 

henry j. nirider (nashville, tn USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joy (Audio CD)

This is the finest Christmas recording I have ever heard. What a perfect compliment to anyone's holiday collection. These four are at their finest on "Joy." I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new Christmas treasure to be enjoyed year after year. One of my favorite moments on the record is the resurrection of "We Are The Reason." What a wonderful new take on this moving song. Passons and Potter sound exceptionally good on their particular songs.