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REVIEW - Yuletide Blend |
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Written by Editor
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Yuletide Blend: Songs for Christmas
This CD is very appropriately titled. It is a wonderful BLEND of Christmas songs. Christmas CD’s have to be the hardest thing to put together. We all have our ‘favorite’ songs, those songs that evoke precious memories of Christmas’ past. Terry and Smitty “did good” - the very first song captured me by its simplicity and traditionalistic sounds of Christmas and had me captured throughout the CD
Having listened to this CD over a dozen times already I must say that the instrumental songs are the highlights for me. With one exception, Christmas is Here by Vince Guaraldi. Most of you may not know who Vince Guaraldi is but you will know this tune from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Truthfully, I never really liked the song very much. Terry and Smitty did this song so very right by bringing in the magnificent Linda McCrary. Her vocals have single-handedly brought this song from the bottom ten of my Christmas list to the top ten. The warmth and expression of her vocals brings this song alive. If you didn’t like it before you will now, if you loved it before you will love it even more now.
Another surprise was The Little Drummer Boy. I was a little taken aback, at first, when I heard a drum solo in the song. The initial shock was quickly abated by the worshipfulness of Gregg Bissonnette’s drumming. You can truly hear his heart for God joining the celebration of Christ’s birth when he plays. Fear not, it is not a Bonham drumming extravaganza. It is tastefully performed and will draw in even the faintest of hearts.
Glory To God by Terry Bulter and Brenton Brown is a wonderful addition to this blend. Having heard this song so many times over the years I had never thought of it as a Christmas song, until now that is. I would not be surprised if it becomes a regular part of Christmas worship services in churches throughout the world.
The magnificence of guitarist Shawn Tubbs prevails throughout We Three Kings Of Orient Are, creating a soothing, worshipful landscape of sound. This is also true of Mary’s Song of Joy where Nicole Kamae’s vocals add a sweet touch of innocence to this beautiful song written by Terry Bulter.
The CD culminates with a musical rendition of Silent Night, which concludes this blend of Christmas worship. Yultide Blend brings us Christmas – add this CD to you collection, you won’t regret it.
Purchase through ION WORSHIP or visit www.yuletideblend.com.
Available at WorshipMusic.com.
Now available on iTunes.
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Tips & Hints |
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