Mark Harris - Christmas Is

Producer:  Luke Denton
Record Label:  INO Records
Website:  http://www.markharrisonline.com

Mark Harris is the only vocalist from the now-defunct CCM power-group 4HIM to manage to have a successful career after the group’s break-up. All four former members released new recordings - but thanks to Mark’s humble approach and tender songwriting - he’s managed to find a healthy solo career after the group’s heyday.  Mark has released two very successful solo records (2005’s The Line Between the Two and 2007’s Windows & Walls) and is now releasing Christmas Is.  This release comes off the heels of last Christmas’ surprise hit single from Mark - “Christmas Is” - a tune he wrote and released to Christian radio - but also a song recorded by co-writer and AC music mainstay Jim Brickman to mainstream radio.  Christmas Is is a nice collection of both new and old Christmas favorites - and it showcases Harris’ songwriting even further.  The album opens with the soft but steady “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” before going into a new version of “Christmas Is” that features Harris’ daughter Maddison on the song as well giving it a nice at-home feel.  Christmas Is features a nice mix of old and new.  Some old Christmas favorites include “Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “O Holy Night.”  Most of these songs are given very subtle and meek presentations which work well with Harris’ often tender vocals.  Harris has never been known as a real powerhouse vocalist - so the simpler the arrangement the better, and it shows on this disc.  “A Strange Way to Save the World” - originally a 4HIM Christmas classic - gets a facelift as Mark puts his solo touches on the disc.  It doesn’t fair too different from the original - but it’s nice to hear an updated version of the song from the guy who wrote it (along with Dave Clark and Don Koch).  “Emmanuel” is a simple Christmas worship tune, and “All Is Well at Christmas” is a nice tune that brings up images of present day Christmas as well as the original Nativity story.  Overall, Christmas Is is a surprisingly strong release from one of Christian music’s most oft-looked-over songwriters.  It doesn’t have the grand orchestrations and huge arrangements that other Christmas albums do - but it is a nice album to add to your Christmas music collection.

Track listing:
1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
2. Christmas Is
3. Caroler’s Song/Angels We Have Heard On High
4. All Is Well at Christmas
5. Silent Night
6. Emmanuel
7. Little Drummer Boy
8. White Christmas
9. O Holy Night
10. A Strange Way to Save the World