Michael W. Smith & Friends
"The Spirit Of Christmas"
© MWS/Sparrow/Captiol
September 25 - 01, 2022
Year of Release: 2014
Rating:
The Miracle Of Christmas
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Happy Holiday/Holiday Season
Christmas Time Is Here
White Christmas
Somewhere In My Memory
The Spirit Of Christmas
Silent Night
What Child Is This
Almost There
All Is well
Christmas Day
The Darkest Midnight
Peace
See how this album ranks...
The Complete WSVNRadio Album Archive
History List
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
|
Where most playlists would begin Christmas after Thanksgiving... Well, some are planning that after Halloween. WSVNRadio does it earlier than both, with
Cristian artist Michael W. Smith's The Spirit Of Christmas, credited as Michael W. Smith & Friends. Better now, than not having a Christmas album this
year - You never know just what we'll be featuring as our "Album Pick of the Week...
Michael W. Smith presents Christmas songs - some traditional (standard), some originals. There are a few songs in which he sings alone. Two songs are
instrumentals, by the London Session Orchestra. (Great Christmas orchestration arrangements!) His "Friends" include: Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Audrey Smith (his daughter),
Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, Bono, and Michael McDonald.
The London Session Orchestra kicks off the album with "The Miracle Of Christmas." Miracle clearly defines it... The orchestraion is just incredible.
The next two songs are by Michael W. Smith himself - The first, "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" is a very energetic version by Michael, where most
remember this song by either Johnny Mathis or Andy Williams. The second song by Michael, is "Happy Holiday/Holiday Season," as it is a good version.
The next track is with Country artist (and recent member of The Eagles), Vince Gill -- "Christmas Time Is Here" is the song from A Charlie Brown
Christmas. The next track features the country group Lady Antebellum, especially it's female lead vocalist, Hillary Scott, on "White Christmas."
Following that, features Audrey Smith. That maybe an unfamiliar name, and the Christmas original "Somewhere In My Memory." If Audrey's last name may make
you wonder... Yes, she is Michael W. Smith's 7 year old granddaughter.
"The Spirit Of Christmas" is a medley of 5 popular Christmas songs: "Deck The Halls, Good King Wencelas, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Feels Like
Christmas," and "O Come All Ye Faithful." The medley is another powerful instrumental, by the London Session Orchestsra, with Michael W. Smith playing
piano.
The remaining 7 tracks has Michael W. Smith's "friends": THe classic "Silent Night" has Country's Little Big Town. A great version, with great harmonies.
Country's Martina McBride helps out on another Christmas classic, "What Child Is This." Martina's voice is great, as always. "Almost There" has
Christian's Amy Grant; as this version is simply impressive and powerful. This song was co-written by both Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. American Idol
winner and current Country star Carrie Underwood provides a beautiful duet, "All Is Well" (co-written by Michael W. Smith). Jennifer Nettles (member of the
Coutry group Sugarland) on another co-written song by Michael W. Smith, "Christmas Day." It's another good duet.
"The Darkest Midnight" features the spoken word by U2's Bono, yet it's more like whispering. The music was written by Michael W. Smith, and the lyrics are
from an Traditional Irish Carol. Ending the album is "Peace", a duet by Michael and another famous Michael... Michael McDonald.
Michael W. Smith & Friends' The Spirit Of Christmas is a very good and powerful album. A great combination of both standard Christmas songs and originals.
And Michael's "friends" are truly exceptional. Even the London Session Orhestra provides a very powerful source in sound and orchestration. You can't go wrong
with Christmas music, and Michael W. Smith and his Friends provides a very entertaining Christmas album.
© 2022 WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved.
Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
MWS/Sparrow/Captiol
and is used for reference purposes only.
|
