Christmas Classics That Stand The Test Of Time
Posted November 28, 2016
By CaitlinLassiter_NRT, Staff Reviewer
To most Christian music fans, NewSong is a band that needs little introduction. The founders and hosts of WinterJam, Christian music's largest tour, NewSong has ministered to millions of fans across the country. With more than 20 albums released in their over 30 year span as a group, it's easy to see that Newsong has an enduring passion for leading people in worship and inviting them to know Christ in a deeper way.
Another thing you should know about NewSong is that they have a special love for Christmas. Their annual Very Merry Christmas Tour runs through the majority of December. The band brings out several other artists and plays hits from their past Christmas records, The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Hope. This year though, they'll have a new batch of holiday songs to pull from as they release their newest Christmas album, The Best Christmas Ever. Boasting a lengthy 15 song track listing, the album features 5 brand new recordings and 10 classics and fan favorites from previous Christmas projects.
Kicking off the album with all five new tracks in a row, the title cut gives listeners a lively and joyful duet with Love & The Outcome's Jodi King before heading into a Billy Goodwin led cover of the piano-driven "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," eventually crescendoing into a piece of "O Come All Ye Faithful." Next, Matt Butler tackles a fun cover of "This Christmas," and Bethany Cruz lends her soulful voice to the thoughtful "My Heart's With You." Bringing a close to the new material on this album, "The King Is Born" spotlights Butler's remarkable cello skills.
As for the songs you've heard before, the rest of the album includes such classics as "The Little Drummer Boy," "Go Tell It On The Mountain," "Oh Holy Night" and Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World." As a tribute to the song's 15th anniversary, a special live recording of the band's mega hit "The Christmas Shoes" appears on the album alongside "Sing Noel" and "Christmas Time Is Here/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," other favorites from that 2001 album. "White As Snow," "The Song Of Christmas" and "The Christmas Hope," my personal favorite from the group, round out the extended track list.
The Bottom Line: With The Best Christmas Ever, Newsong once again proves why they're one of the strongest mainstays in CCM, giving us both new and old songs to enjoy on the same record and handling each one with the gracefulness that is required with classic holiday tunes. The combined vocal efforts of the group merge with the elegant instrumentation and make the perfect pairing for these Christmas tunes that have proven they stand the test of time.
Song To Download Now:
"The Best Christmas Ever" (Get it on iTunes here.)
View All Music And Book Reviews By CaitlinLassiter_NRT | View CaitlinLassiter_NRT's Profile
|
