Christmas Joy
Bobby Underwood | Manly NSW, Australia | 10/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
""We're not that far from Bethlehem, where all our hope and joy began." -- We're Not That Far From Bethlehem
I picked this up last year and it quickly became a Christmas favorite. Wonderful harmonies and the true spirit of Christmas are marvelously captured here by Denise, Shelly, Heather, and Terry, collectively known as Point of Grace. A real joy comes through the music, even in songs which sometimes take on a somber tone in other's hands. Perhaps it is their love for what they are singing which has this effect.
There is a fine mix of traditional Christmas songs sung around a campfire and songs sung on a snowy night in church by a choir. The simple and pleasant productions allow the girls to just sing the songs as they were meant to be sung. Their harmonies make for a happy listening experience. You can truly pop this one in and let it play through, enjoying the entire overall affect of their Christmas joy somehow working its way into you by the last song.
If I had to pick a favorite here, it might be Light of the World, in which the girls take the background vocals and somehow manage to make the harmonies more important than the main vocal. Then again, their blending of Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, with Sleigh Ride is a Christmas potpourri of fun. Respectfully joyous is perhaps the best way to describe this Point of Grace Christmas album.
The liner notes are designed and presented in the same manner as the music. Point of Grace having fun in the snow and individual favorite Christmas memories related by each give this an intimate feel. But it is a spiritual light burning within and that joy which comes across even in their thanks to those who helped make the album possible.
If you're looking for something pleasant and fun to put on while you trim the tree or cook the turkey, I highly recommend some time with Denise, Shelly, Heather, and Terry. It will keep you in a festive mood for sure."