Search - Amy Grant :: The Christmas Collection

Essential Amy

W. Brian | San Francisco, CA | 10/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, "The Christmas Collection" is a greatest hits album, culling favorites from her three studio Christmas albums. Amy is refreshingly candid in the liner notes asking: How much Christmas music should any singer release? (Apart from side projects and a single contribution to Christmas albums here and there, she has released three Christmas albums, in 1983, 1992 and 1999.)



What must be noted: 1) Amy invented the modern Christmas album in the guise as a worshipful, sincere Christmas celebration, while including a handful of secular favorites. (She was the sincere, Christ-based answer to the Nat King Coles, Bing Crosbys and Barbra Streisands...she honored those American songbook classics, but put her charismatic stamp on her albums...



2) Amy's three Christmas albums contain approximately 1/3 to 1/2 original material. No other artist does this. No other artist has undertaken large Christmas shows with the Nashville symphony (and other local symphonies)for the benefit of the idea of local symphonic music. Amy's Christmas shows in Nashville have famously taken the Nashville symphony from the red to the black.



3) Speaking of that original material, Amy's "Tennessee Christmas" has been covered countless times; "Breath of Heaven" has been covered by virtually every female singer releasing a Christmas album in the last few years...Donna Summer, Jessica Simpson, Roberta Flack, Point of Grace, a couple of Broadway dames etc. There are more I can't remember.



4) Finally, the four "new" track on "The Christmas Collection" are absolutely essential: "Jingle Bells" is Amy at her gutsiest; "I Need a Silent Night" may become Amy's next "Breath of Heaven"...gorgeous, resonant and unforgettable. The jazzy composition "Baby It's Christmas" with hubby Vince I could take or leave. But I adore the gorgeous orchestration and vocal of "Count Your Blessings" from the Bing Crosby movie "White Christmas."





In short, Amy amusedly admitted in the liner notes of this newest collection that her abundance of Christmas music "haunts" her children in restaurants and shopping malls across America during the Christmas season.



If any artist has the right, the invitation, the obligation, the expectation to continue making unforgettable Christmas music, it's our girl Amy.



"The Christmas Collection" gathers the best (minus some quibbles) of her three, stellar Christmas collections. The four new songs are worth the price of admission for the old fan. The new fan is in store for Christmas music that will make one an Amy Christmas fan for life...Amy Christmas Music is like no other...She sings each song, light or serious, with the impact of a believer.



Amy Grant is the Queen of Christmas...six million albums and counting.

"

It's An Amy Grant Christmas!

James Donovan | Plainfield, Vermont USA | 10/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard Amy Grant was coming out with a new Christmas album, her fourth (!), I was excited because I love her previous offerings and her music is my soundtrack to the holiday season. Then I found out that it was actually a kind of 'Greatest Hits' compilation of her three X-Mas albums, with a few new recordings added in. Disappointment aside, I knew I would get it as soon as it came out (in September!). So, here's the big question: Is it worth buying? Let's discuss, shall we?

First of all, the song selection is favored very heavily towards her second holiday album "Home For Christmas," with a whopping eight tracks (the first eight tracks of that album, actually) making an appearance, compared to four from the first one and only two from the last. It may sound completely unbalanced, but in my opinion HFC was the best of the three so I don't mind too much. Amy has stated that these are her favorites from each album, so whether or not you agree with her choices is beside the point.

As for the new songs, they fit quite nicely alongside the familar ones. "Jingle Bells" starts off the set with a furious pace, a remake of Barbra Streisand's version of the song. It's funny to hear Amy sing so fast! "I Need A Silent Night" talks about how commercial Christmas has become and how we sometimes forget the true meaning of it all. "Baby It's Christmas" is a sweet song about taking a breather and enjoying the simple pleasures of the holiday, and "Count Your Blessings" is a lovely reminder to be thankful for what you have. All in all, excellent additions to the Amy Christmas canon!

So is it a must buy? In my totally biased opinion, yes. Where some perfomers release holiday music to make a quick buck, Amy is one of the few artists who actually puts feeling and meaning into these songs. It may not be all new music, but it is good music, plain and simple, and wonderful."

Christmas ballads that twinkle and shine--BRAVO, AMY GRANT !

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 10/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amy Grant does her Christmas album up in a big, beautiful way and it is practically an instant classic for the holiday season! Amy's voice never sounded better and it's a joy to hear her sing these wonderful songs. The quality of the sound is superlative and there's very little lacking on this fine album. Yes, these are many of her best hits from her previous Christmas CDs; but still it's well worth the price of admission!



"Jingle Bells" starts the CD with Amy singing very well and she handles the tempo changes like a pro! The musical accompaniment is very lush and this impresses me greatly. Amy's voice, clear as a bell, never falters and it's truly a finely tuned instrument to be relished. In addition, there's Amy giving her all on "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year;" this gets a more traditional arrangement that "Jingle Bells" and this works rather well for this number. The backup singers harmonize well and I like that a lot. Only Amy could infuse this song with so much heartfelt energy; it's pretty awesome.



"Baby, It's Christmas" charms me with its beauty and I predict you'll enjoy this fantastic number. The piano works very well in the arrangement and Amy delivers this with great poise and a certain sentimental flavor that's great. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is yet another huge success for Amy; she delivers this with panache and the overall arrangement is flawless and stunning at once. Similarly, "Silent Night" gets the best treatment any chanteuse could ever give it and I really enjoy this number very much.



"Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" gets so much regal treatment that Brenda Lee would turn green with envy! "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" is a major highlight of this CD and the country flavor to this number embellishes it all the more. "Tennessee Christmas" is also impressive and I think you'll enjoy this tender ballad.



"O Come All Ye Faithful" features Amy Grant doing her all to deliver this with true passion and it works very well--she really conveys the spirit of the song! The CD also ends nicely with Amy Grant performing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas;" this tune was originally sung by Judy Garland in the movie Meet Me In Saint Louis. Surely Judy would approve and smile if she were to hear Amy sing this song with all her heart and soul.



Overall, this Christmas album by Amy Grant, simply entitled The Christmas Collection, stands out as one of the superior CDs for this holiday season. It's certainly not too early to get this for your holiday season--it puts you in the holiday mood instantly. I highly recommend this exceptional CD by Amy Grant; it's a treasure to be enjoyed over and over again!

"