Elaine L. Miller | Muncie, IN United States | 06/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own literally dozens of Christmas CD's and tapes and this one is by far my family's fovrite.
We have never heard such glorious harmonies and such a unique selection of Christmas music.
We have had the opportunity now to have seen GLAD in concert on two occasions. What We wouldn't give to hear them sing some of the selections from this CD!
You will be blessed with any of this group's many fine offerings - but this is one of their best!"
Wow! These guys are fantastic
J. Booth | Michigan | 11/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like vocal harmony and Christmas music, you must have this album. This album represents some of the finest acapella music I have ever heard. "Joy to the World", "Rise Up Shepherd" and "One Quiet Moment" are just wonderful to listen to. I should add that I was fortunate to see this group perform several of these selections live in 1992 and was amazed - they sound just as good as the recording which is extreamly rare with acapella music. I have purchased many copies for friends as gifts. You will enjoy this work!"
One Quiet Moment
Chas | San Antonio, Texas | 12/15/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"You've got to hear this song tract from this CD. It has been playing in my head all day. The lyrics are great. The melody is smooth yet powerful. I find myself becoming more intimate with Mary and Joseph the parents of Jesus - all because of this song. The other songs are pretty good, too, but THIS song is a must listen to. You'll be refreshed and encouraged when you do."
Magical
PianistAngela | MD | 10/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We've had this CD for years and years, yet it's the first one we bring out at Christmas. "One Quiet Moment" is an amazing song, and the harmonies in "O Come Emmanuel" will have you putting the song on repeat. This CD is high quality and I recommend it 100% to anyone who is looking for Christmas music that is both peaceful and exciting at the same time. It's magical."
A different take on Christmas music
Greg Brady | Capital City | 01/11/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Glad, for those unitiated, is a Christian vocal quintet that does acappella projects every so often and chose to do one for the holidays.
The good: Focused squarely on religious material so if you want a Frosty and Santa-less Christmas, there you go. It's also nice that they have some unusual choices..only a third of this disc is the same old same old (Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, and O Come, All Ye Faithful..).
The original tune "One Quiet Moment" is the highlight of the disc for me. It views the Nativity through the eyes of Mary and Joseph..Joseph realizing that this would never be "his" child..Mary glad that Joseph had chosen to stay by her side anyway...and both of them realizing that Jesus' mission would have lifelong complications for them ("Their friends would grow distant and shun them as strange"). The arrangement isn't especially original, but that's not why I like this. The lyric truly inspires me to view the Saviour's birth with new eyes.
Other nice ones include the take on "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and the inclusion of the Negro spiritual "Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow" was unexpected but welcome.
The bad: "Glory to God"...entirely too repetitive. Sadly, it's written by Bob Kauflin (who also wrote "One Quiet Moment"..)..perhaps he ran out of inspiration? Ed Nalle's voice floats ethereally over the other four..but the continual "Glory to God" just gets boring...In general, maybe they treated the songs too "reverently"...I believe it's possible to innovate the arrangements more and "have fun" without POKING fun. I realize they probably wanted to appeal to traditional audiences here, but I think they could have incorporated elements of jazz, swing, or doo-wop for instance to breathe new life into some of the old chestnuts.
Summary: This won't knock your socks off cut for cut, but it's worth getting to have some great not-overused material like "Rise Up,Shepherd, and Follow" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" as well as the wonderful original "One Quiet Moment".