O Holy Night

Sara Groves | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: October 17, 2008
• Label: Ino/Columbia
• Copyright: (P) 2008 Sponge Records
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 40:32
• Genres:
  • Pop
• ASIN: B001I9QXKS
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,071 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice Album November 13, 2008

By Troy McClure

Format:Audio CD

I actually would like to rate this album 4.5 stars. It's not perfect, but its highs pull it towards 5 stars more than its lows pull it towards four stars.

I often think that artists tread upon dangerous ground when they alter the melodies of all-time favorite hymns and carols. Sometimes it works (see Fernando Ortega), often it doesn't. Sara Groves alters the melodies of several standard carols on this album, and I have to say, the results are fabulous. They are actually the strength of the album in my opinion. In particular I found "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" to be excellent renditions that I am excited to add to my Christmas music rotation.

In addition to the standard carols, there are also a handful of original songs. I don't have anything against original tunes on a Christmas album, but I often find them to be inferior to the standard carols (I have to admit, I'm a sucker for all the carol favorites). On this album I had a range of reactions to the various original tunes. Most of them I would put in the "actually pretty good" category, but one of them - "To Be With You" - is as beautiful and any Christmas carol out there. It will definitely be in the rotation for Christmases to come.

The reason why I would give it 4.5 stars instead of 5 stars is because there are, in my opinion, a couple clunkers on the album. Of course, music is all a matter of personal preference, so don't let this criticism keep you from checking out this album. Specifically, I found the original song "It's True" to be a bit treacly for me, and the song "Toy Packaging," while kind of quirky and fun, is also a little too, I don't know, quirky and fun for my tastes. But of course, that's just my tastes.

On the whole though, I highly recommend this album. It's one of the best to come out in recent memory.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Christmas music June 30, 2009

By R. Cummings

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This Christmas CD does have some well-known songs as well as some original songs, but beware if you like traditional tunes this may not be the CD for you. Sara came up with her own arrangements/music for traditional songs. They are good, but I was a bit disappointed because I am one of those weirdos who likes to have twenty different Christmas CDs all with the same songs, same tunes, just different voices.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars O Holy Night October 17, 2009

By M. Pearson

Format:Audio CD

I completely love this cd. I love Sara Grove's music, but wasn't sure I wanted this cd; just because I didn't think I needed another cd of the same Christmas songs. My husband gave this to me last Christmas. I downloaded it to my ipod and listened, on our way "home" to be with family. The songs settled a joy and peace in my spirit and attitude. This in turn got my focus on the true meaning of Christmas-God and the peace and hope He delivered through his son Jesus. Recently, I have been listening to the songs in a shuffle and they always lighten my burdens and give me strength for the day. Thanks Sara!!!! I've just ordered your new album!!!