Rose of Bethlehem

Selah | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 29, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Curb Special Markets
• ASIN: B00006JM1Z
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,133 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent collection of Christmas carols, July 26, 2003

By 

Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rose of Bethlehem (Audio CD)

Nicol Smith (who later became Nicol Sponberg), Todd Smith and Allan Hall made up Selah at the time this album was recorded. I knew nothing about this trio when I bought this album. All three of them are wonderful singers and each gets a chance to sing lead. The songs are a mix of originals and covers but all of them focus on the religious aspects of Christmas - you won't find Santa, reindeer or snowflakes here.

Silent night, O come o come Emmanuel, What child is this and O holy night are just distinctive enough to make them interesting, but no attempt has been made to do anything too clever with them.

Dolly Parton guests as duet singer on Once upon a Christmas, a song that she wrote for the Christmas album she did with Kenny Rogers in 1984. It was the title track and I think it is one of the best songs of its kind ever written. Dolly sang harmony (with Linda Ronstadt and Neil Young) on Emmylou's original version of Light of the stable, also covered here.

Those are the only songs that I'd come across before, though Rose of Bethlehem, written in 1992, may also be a cover. This stirring song, sung by Nicol, provides a brilliant climax to a stunning Christmas album. Nicol also sings lead on What child is this, Joy and O holy night. From hearing these four songs, it comes as no surprise to learn that Nicol has recorded solo as well as with the men in Selah.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Thorns In This Album!, November 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Rose of Bethlehem (Audio CD)

Dove-award winning SELAH offers another powerful album in their third project, ROSE OF BETHLEHEM. Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, this project emits the happiness and hope of Christmas through the words of the songs, filling the listeners with excitement and anticipation. Featuring traditional songs ("Silent Night") as well as lesser-known ones ("Light of the Stable") and a guest appearance by Dolly Parton ("Once Upon A Christmas"), ROSE OF BETHLEHEM offers something for everyone.

Sacred was the birth in a stable, and sacred is the mood of many of the songs, including "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "What Child is This," "O Holy Night," "Mystery," and "Rose of Bethlehem." These songs are soft, yet powerful and awe-inspiring.

Lead singer Nicol Smith's arrangement of "What Child Is This" conveys the incredible message hidden in the words of the song. The strength of Nicol's vocals does not hinder her ability to provide a gentle, silky smooth rendition. This is also evident in "O Holy Night," which begins softly and pastorally--as if one were sitting alone on a hillside, watching the stars--but quickly escalates into a powerful worship song. "Mystery" captures the debt of gratitude we feel for-and the incomprehensibility of-God's plan, carried out through a baby, to offer salvation to the world. It's not just a baby in a manger--it's the fact that the baby was sent here for *us*; in the words of the song, sung powerfully by co-writer Todd Smith, it's a "Mystery, how He came / to be a man / But greater still / How His death was in His plan."

"Noel" is a fun, light song that provides the Christmas message in Kituba, the language the brother-and-sister part of the trio, Todd and Nicol Smith, spoke while growing up in South Africa.

"Joy" keeps the listener in touch with the meaning of Christmas while evoking an exhilarating feeling. How blessed we are that our joy has finally come! The music is upbeat, and it provides that time-honored "Christmasy" feeling. This song is classic SELAH.

Tight vocals, perfect pitch, inspiring words, and beautiful piano playing from group member Allan Hall--all these make the album perfect for a music aficionado. The enthusiasm for and understanding of the meaning of the words these three singers express through their singing make it perfect for those looking for "real" music in a world of "over-produced" and "performance-oriented" vocals. Song variety and selection mean it's a great addition to any Christian music fan's collection--or to any Christmas music fan's treasury! If you enjoyed Selah's other albums (BE STILL MY SOUL and PRESS ON), you will want to add this to your collection. If you have yet to encounter the heartfelt, thought-provoking words, arrangements, and anointed vocals of this trio, Rose of Bethlehem offers a wonderful introduction to this group's unique, refreshingly accessible style.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent all year long, March 7, 2003

By 

Amy LW (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rose of Bethlehem (Audio CD)

My husband and I are still listening to this CD even though it's March! We haven't grown tired of the beautiful melodies and words. It is truly glorifying to the Lord!