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 1 of 5

Chris Rice | Fred Hammond | Michael McDonald
Stacie Orrico | Anne Murray | Go Fish
Noel: 11 Elegant Christmas Classics | Vicki Yohe

The Living Room Sessions: Christmas
Chris Rice (Rocketown)

The award for prolific artist of the year has got to go to Chris Rice, who's released three albums within one year's time. Last April Chris debuted a new series entitled The Living Room Sessions, so named because Chris simply records himself at home noodling on his piano. Following in the footsteps of the first album in the series, which contained 12 beloved hymns, this one explores (appropriately) 12 classic Christmas carols, as well as an instrumental version of Chris's carol-like classic "Welcome to Our World." Some will undoubtedly find an album of instrumental piano pieces nothing special or exciting. However, I like how Chris understates his piano arrangements; they're simple, subtle, and thoughtful rather than showy and overwhelming. The tracks are short (the entire album's only 37 minutes long), and the arrangements are generally less innovative and more simplistic than those on the first Living Room Sessions album. Still, pianists will appreciate the beautiful variations of well-known favorites as well as Chris's technical proficiency. Plus, the intimacy of the solo piano lends itself well to the familiarity of the carols. This one's great for background music during tree trimming and present opening, or quiet Christmas reflection in front of the fire with loved ones.

Just Remember
Fred Hammond (Verity)

Reputed producer and musician Fred Hammond hardly needs an introduction, since he's been one of the key artists who's helped reshape the sound of gospel music in the last ten years. Those familiar with his past work with Commissioned and Radical For Christ can't help but get excited at the idea of Fred doing a Christmas project. Which is why I'm just a tad disappointed with Just Remember, since most of the 12 album cuts have the exact same smooth rhythm-and-blues/gospel feel to them. The songs on Just Remember range from covers of Christian pop and gospel favorites (such as "Christmas Everyday" and 4Him's "A Strange Way to Save the World") to originals by Fred (such as "God Has Been Good" and "We Sing Glory," a worship song that focuses on the miracle of the Word made flesh). However, they all feel like variations of the same style. Though the album is surprisingly homogenous, there are certainly some standout tracks. "Just Remember" cleverly blends the melody of "Carol of the Bells" with new lyrics and smooth jazz. And Fred's soulful half-time gospel cover of "Go Tell It On the Mountain" demonstrates his artistry as a producer and an arranger. If only Fred had varied the album's sound beyond the steady beat of the opener, "His Name Is Jesus," and the hip-hop/gospel shuffle of the closing song, "He Is the Reason." The guest appearance by Radical For Christ on "Go Gabriel" is too little too late, and it might have been a good idea to introduce other gospel artists as he did on his In Case You Missed It project earlier this year. Despite the repetitive sound, I consider Just Remember one of the better Christmas albums this year and appreciate its originality and quality production. Check it out if you'd like to celebrate the season with a soulful blend of R&B, gospel, and pop.

In the Spirit
Michael McDonald (MCA / Provident)

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