Tweet

Comments (0)

 1 of 5

The local mall is already decorating for Christmas, so we can start thinking about it too. Besides, the new Christmas albums have already hit the stores. Here's what's new this year.

While there aren't many high-profile Christian artists in this year's list of eleven new Christmas albums, there's no shortage in variety or holiday ambience. There's plenty of diversity, with Christmas favorites performed on everything from Australian didgeridoo to vintage synthesizers. And there's quite a generational span, from twenty-somethings (Relient K) to seventy-somethings (Andy Griffith, Blind Boys of Alabama). With all that considered, there's bound to be a new holiday release for your tastes to celebrate the season.

Rivertribe | The Blind Boys of Alabama | Steven Curtis Chapman
Integrity's iWorship—A Total Christmas Worship Experience
Andy Griffith | Joy Electric | The Katinas | Kathy Mattea
Relient K | T.D. Jakes | John Tesh

Christmas (Elevate/Inpop)
Modern instrumental world music

After developing an international following out of their homeland in Australia, Rivertribe made its American debut with an instrumental worship album in 2002. It seems a bit soon to follow up with a Christmas project, but it is the time of year when people are more open to instrumental music. Rivertribe's world music blends keyboards and African percussion with unconventional instruments like the light harp, Native American flutes, and Australia's distinctive didgeridoo, resembling the ethereal and eclectic work of Apt.Core, Afro-Celt Sound System, Enigma, and Moby. The unique sound transforms and expands upon Christmas classics such as "The First Noel," "Little Drummer Boy," "Silent Night," "and "I Saw Three Ships." Rivertribe appropriately paints "We Three Kings" with Eastern elements over a techno dance vibe. There's also a cover of "Be Thou My Vision" and an original about Christ's family's Egyptian exile called "Out of Egypt." The unusual instrumentation may throw some—and you may be sick of the didgeridoo before album's end—but it's really no stranger than the unusual sounds heard on Manheim Steamroller's holiday albums. In many ways, Rivertribe is much fresher to the ears, offering musical sensibility that doesn't instantly date itself, strong musicianship, and a uniquely worshipful holiday ambience.

Go Tell It on the Mountain (Real World)
Acoustic gospel blues

It's hard to believe that in 60 years of recording, The Blind Boys of Alabama have never made a Christmas album—till now. These critically acclaimed seventy-somethings have done two consecutive award-winning albums, and this is another winner. Produced again by John Chelew, Go Tell It on the Mountain boasts an incredible roster of 12 guest musicians that would make any Christmas variety show jealous. After opening with the rocking spiritual "Last Month of the Year," The Blind Boys are one of few groups who can credibly cover Harry Connick Jr.'s gospel original "I Pray on Christmas"—with the aid of legendary soul singer Solomon Burke. There's a bluesy minor-key variation of the title track with Tom Waits, and the boys back Chrissy Hynde of The Pretenders for a fine folk-pop rendition of "In the Bleak Midwinter." Group leader Clarence Fountain was born to sing "The Christmas Song," here a duet with Shelby Lynne. And I still haven't mentioned outstanding tracks featuring Aaron Neville, Les McCann, and Mavis Staples! The only misstep is a traditional rendering of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," ruined by a distracting spoken vocal by Me'Shell Ndegocello. Otherwise, it's a delightful surprise track after track, due to creative sensibilities and reverence for the traditional source material.

next page... |  1 of 5