Search - Michael W Smith :: Christmas Collection

Two Christmas Classics in One Collection

Duane S. Montague | WA United States | 11/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Michael W. Smith's two holiday releases, the first entitled "CHRISTMAS" and the second "CHRISTMASTIME," are two of the finest ever released. That's a pretty bold statement to make, considering the number of Christmas releases there have been over the years, but easy to say when an artist contributes a multiplicty of now-classic songs to the Christmas canon.



The first album, CHRISTMAS, was released in 1989, shortly after the album i (2) EYE. The piano-driven style of Smith's pop music (and his penchant for instrumentals evidenced on all of his releases, including his first album) may seem at odds with the songs on this first release.



Working closely with arranger Ronn Huff, as well as the American Boychoir (who Smith would use again shortly afterward with the original recording of his worship song "Agnus Dei"), Smith fashions a work of incredible orchestral and choral beauty. Although his voice (never his strongest suit) sometimes jars against the loveliness of the vocal arrangements, the sheer gall with which he created the work earns him extra points for chutzpah.



Opening with a major choral/orchestral arrangement of "O Come All Ye Faithful," (with the "Gloria" theme that will echo later in the album quite prominent), Smith follows up with one of his finest (and most unusual) songs: "Lux Venit." The song uses the Latin text ("Behold your light has come"), boychoir, and a lovely counterpoint melody/chorus to highlight the "light" of Christmas. A few nice compositions follow ("Anthem for Christmas" with lyrics by Gloria Gaither, as well as the Handel-esque "Christ the Messiah").



But the highlight of the album begins with the one-two punch of "No Eye Had Seen," a duet with frequent colloborator Amy Grant that soars to its glorious conclusion, and the haunting, beautiful, "All is Well," which has now been recorded by everyone from Amy Grant to Michael Crawford (and performed by countless church choirs over the years). "All is Well" is simply one of the most beautiful songs ever composed, and its words of peace and hope stir even the most jaded heart. Smith ends the first disc with an instrumental medley which segues into "Gloria," a reworking of "Angels We Have Heard on High," which still mixes in choir, orchestra, and boychoir. A contemplative (and short) version of "Silent Night" ends the album. The songs "All is Well," "No Eye Had Seen," "Lux Venit," and "Gloria," make this disc alone worth the purchase price.



The second collection was released in 1998. "CHRISTMASTIME" paints much broader strokes than the first collection. Opening with sweeping strings and a somewhat melancholy wistfulness in Smith's singing is the obscure chestnut, "The Happiest Christmas." Quite lovely. Taking a page from the classic "ANDY WILLIAMS CHRISTMAS ALBUM," Smith follows this quiet song with the upbeat 1960's feel of "KAY THOMPSON'S JINGLE BELLS," which is almost an exact match of Andy Williams' original recording. It feels more like an homage than a rip-off, however.



Michael's next now-classic composition is "Christmastime," which uses boychoir, lush orchestra, soaring choir, and an absolutely beautiful melody to perfect effect. One of the all-time greats and one of the few great "new" Christmas songs. Ending quietly, the song segues nicely into Chris Rice's original song "Welcome to Our World," a simple and quiet song welcoming the Christ child.



"Hope of Israel" is a lush orchestral piece (with piano-based melody), followed by the "Sing We Now of Christmas" medley. Originally arranged for a Word Records compilation, Smith reworks the song using boychoir on "Sing We Now..." and great haunting voices on the tune of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." The medley ends with Smith singing his original composition (which first appeared on Amy Grant's first Christmas album), "Emmanuel." He does a nice job on it, but the key to the tune is the "Sing We Now..." boychoir.



Guitar legend Phil Keaggy joins Smith for "O Christmas Tree" (an instrumental), and Sandy Patty duets with Smith for the classic Christmas song, "The Christmas Waltz," which has a very nice traditional feel to it. The instrumental "We Three Kings" follows.



The one-two-three punch of "Away in a Manger/Child in the Manger" and "Carols Sing," come as a surprise following the robustness of the duet. "Child in the Manger" has a somewhat "dark" melody line, but "Carols Sing" is a beautiful piece sung by the boychoir.



The finale is a rousing, Celtic-inspired arrangement of "I Saw Three Ships" which sends the listener out soaring. Showcasing Smith's arranging and instrumental prowess, this last number is one of the highlights of the collection.



For the songs "Christmastime" and "Welcome to Our World," this album is also a Christmas-season classic. And while the first is much more classical in its feel, the second is much more accessible to a a wider audience.



HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"

2 beautiful CD's

S. J. Roberts | Michigan, USA | 10/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"these are two beautiful CD's but beware, they are re-releases of Michael's previous Christmas CD's."

Two Great CD's for the Price of One!

Mark Baker | Santa Clarita, CA United States | 10/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Christmas, Michael W. Smith's two Christmas albums are being released as a package. Now you can buy both of them at once. And the price is about the price of a new CD, making it a deal it's hard to refuse if you don't already own them.



The first CD is "Christmas." Released in 1989, it was a real departure from his previous release, i2(eye). He went from 80's pop/rock to a choral sound. I must admit at first I was really disappointed, but the CD has grown on me until it's become one of my favorites.



This CD sounds more like a choral album then an artist driven solo project. In fact, Michael doesn't even have all the solos. The music is full orchestra for a Christmas pageant feel. There are very few traditional carols on here, except in instrumental form. As a result, it takes several listens before it sounds remotely Christmassy. However, there are some powerful lyrics in the new songs that remind me of the wonder of the first Christmas. And "Gloria" is a fun rendition of the classic "Angels We Have Heard on High" that I have heard performed many times by choirs since this came out.



1998's Christmastime, the second disc in this set, also takes a little getting used to, mainly because the style is all over the place. Very few of the songs on it are original, but most are seldom recorded. The more familiar songs 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.



Both of these CD's are great. Yes, they need a little getting used to, but once you do, they will become favorites. I can't wait to pull them out every December and get caught up in these wonderful Christmas releases. If you've missed getting them before, now's the perfect time to get them."