Michael W. Smith - It’s a Wonderful Christmas

Producer:  David Hamilton & Michael W. Smith
Record Label:  Reunion Records
Website:  http://www.michaelwsmith.com

Michael W. Smith’s debut Christmas release, Christmas is one of my all-time favorite Christmas recordings.  It’s big.  It’s grand.  It’s gorgeous.  He followed up that release nine years later with the release of Christmastime - which was a more pop-oriented Christmas recording.  The two albums were night and day.  When it was announced that Smith would release yet another Christmas recording - my first response was “AGAIN!?!” However, it has been another nine years since Smith released Christmastime - so the popular singer/songwriter was definitely due for a new Christmas recording.  It’s a Wonderful Christmas, Smith’s third full-length Christmas recording, finds the popular singer returning to his Christmas roots.  The new album is definitely more like Christmas rather than Christmastime .  It, like the first holiday recording, features grand orchestrations and intricate choral numbers.  Featuring the London Session Orchestra, New Cumberland Choir & Highland Pipes, and Nashville Choir & Children’s Choir, It’s a Wonderful Christmas takes the listener on a journey - evoking memories of Christmases gone by and fantasies of winter wonderlands filled with sugar plumb ferries and elves working in Santa’s busy workshop.  It’s a Wonderful Christmas is a mix of grand instrumental numbers like the title track, “Song For a King”, and the beautifully breathtaking “Audrey’s Gift.” There aren’t many traditional moments to be found - as this is a truly magnificent event of original music penned by Smith the help from the likes of Cindy Morgan, Wes King, David Hamilton, Tony Wood, Jonas Myrin, and his son Ryan.  The pop oriented “Christmas Day” (with American Idol finalist Mandisa) will surely earn classic status soon, while more classically arranged numbers like “The Promise”, “Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah”, and “Son of God” feature Smith at his creative finest.  Fans of classical-oriented Christmas recordings won’t want to miss this album.  It’s truly the year’s finest holiday recording.  Smith has outdone himself this time.

Purchase It’s a Wonderful Christmas.

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