Search - Various Artists :: Unexpected Gifts

Give Yourself the Gift of This CD This Christmas

Mark Baker | Santa Clarita, CA United States | 12/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation of Christmas songs from Sparrow artists is lots of fun. All the songs are familiar songs, but they get new arrangements that breath new life into them. A couple of these songs look to have been previously released elsewhere, like Steven Curtis Chapman's "O Little Town of Bethlehem," but that's a minor complaint.



Rebecca St. James starts out the disc with "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." As you'd expect from Rebecca, it's got a rock flavor to it, but it's still fairly traditional. Chris Tomlin does a slow, quiet version of "Angels We Have Heard on High" that actually works quite well. And Sanctus Real spices up "Silent Night." It's almost a rock ballad here, and again it works.



My favorite moment on the disc is "The Christmas Song" by Michael Tait. He is clearly channeling Nat King Cole or Johnny Mathis. It's got a jazz by way of big band vibe and it sounds wonderful.



It's almost enough to make up for what doesn't work. David Browder*Band's version of "Feliz Navidad" is certainly fine. But it feels out of place on this disc. But the track I really don't like is Bethany Dillon's take on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." It's got a great jazz feel to it, but I can't stand her voice. It is way too breathy and earthy for my tastes.



Despite the couple missteps, this is a strong collection of modern takes on some Christmas classics. If you are looking for something different for your Christmas collection, this disc will fit the bill."