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Average Customer Review: ( 41 customer reviews )
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Good thing I wasn't expecting anything specific because this CD is all over the place. Very few of the songs on here are original, but most are seldom recorded. The more familiar songs on here are instrumental arrangements. While at first I was disappointed to not get words with "O Christmas Tree" and "We Three Kings," the arrangements are so fantastic it's easy to get past that. And the pipes on "I Saw Three Ships" make me want to get up and dance. "Hope of Israel" is an original instrumental piece as well.

He revives the choral sounds of his first Christmas CD on "Christmastime" and "Carols Sing." And he provides some more pop songs with "The Happiest Christmas," "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells," the first Christmas recording of "Welcome to Our World," and "Christmas Waltz," a duet with Sandi Patty. Frankly, these are the songs I love most. Of special note is a new version of his "Sing We Now of Christmas" that is just a hauntingly beautiful as the original.

So does this mishmash of styles work? Yes, it does, but it takes a few listens. The first year I had it, I wasn't sure if I liked it at all, but each year it's grown on me. Now I look forward to hearing it every year.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

An instant Christmas Classic with lush orchestration!Dec 09, 2000
By Soozie4Him
This CD has a real mix of styles, but still hangs together as a very cohesive CD. My favorite track on the album is "Christmastime". It's just fabulous! Also, I especially enjoyed Michael's duet with Sandi Patty on "Christmas Waltz".

Michael incorporates a wide variety of instruments in this masterpiece of a CD - tinwhistle, bagpipes, Uillean Pipes, and all the usual instruments are included.

Track 6 is a medley with "Sing We Now of Christmas" sung by the American Boys Choir starting out. The medley ends with a lively "Emmanuel" (the one Amy Grant has on her first Christmas album, but MWS wrote it)!

The first track, "The Happiest Christmas", is reminiscent of the music my parents used to listen to - Ed Ames, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, etc. Michael does a great job with this style!

There is truly something for everyone on this CD - you can't go wrong buying this CD for any of your loved ones!

The liner notes are a feast for the eyes, with great drawings and photos.

Please check out my other reviews of Christian music and books!

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

Love it! Love it!Nov 27, 2000
By Sallie Stephens "waterbugirl"
I purchased this CD last year and just about wore it out! I love the classic songs on here, mixed with some new ones. The rendition of "Jingle Bells" just plain tickles me (as well as my son...as soon as he hears that first whinny of a horse he just laughs and laughs...buy the CD and you'll see what I mean!) I also love "Christmastime" and my all-time favorite is MWS's instrumental piece "Hope of Israel". It is absolutely beautiful and really stirs my soul. Get this album and give yourself a wonderful Christmas present! You'll be so glad that you did!

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

Great CD for the Holidays!May 30, 2000

I absolutely adore this album. While putting up Christmas decor, track 3 (Christmastime) was on repeat all day. This CD combines classic Christmas carols with some new tunes. I love 'Christmastime' and the sounds of the bells and children's voices in the song. Despite talk of Smith becoming a crossover pop artist, this inspirational CD really shows his love for the Lord and his desire to wish him happy birthday.

2 of 2 found the following review helpful:

Press play , decorate tree........a modern classicOct 18, 2006
By Jay C
Michael has two Christmas cd's out now, and I wish he would do another. I have called his first one a masterpiece, the same could be said of this one.
The first track "The happiest Christmas" is a wonderful opening track. Kay Thompson's Jingle bells is reminiscent of Andy Williams of the sixties.

This release and his "Christmas" are the two cd's that gets heavy playing time at my house. In the past year I have sampled and or purchased more Christmas music than in the last 15 years. I have heard some really good music but for the season His music has not been topped. These two cd's are what I would consider modern classics or masterpieces! 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!

I went to see Michael when he recently came to my area.He did a Christmas show and I was surprised to see how many people did not have all of his Christmas CD's. I said to myself "You don't have that one!!.... then your Christmas is not complete!!!!

I have a LOT of Christmas CDs, and this is one of the first and last I listen to each Christmas season. He has clearly captured the spirit of the season, MWS has done it again!! Thanks Michael on making a modern tradition for Christmas!

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