I know it’s a different holiday today, but Christmas is coming. I’m a pretty firm believer in holding off Christmas until after Thanksgiving (not to mention Halloween!), but as a sacrifice for all of you, I’ve been getting into the Christmas spirit by listening to 3 new CDs so that I could post this review and giveaway in time for you to enjoy them all season long.
I like Christmas music. I don’t go over the top with decorations or gifts, but I do like to indulge in music. Listening to Christmas music helps keep me in the spirit. I even consider myself somewhat of an expert. When my husband and I are evaluating holiday CDs, we use very technical review-speak in describing them:
- Holiday songs — These can deal with winter fun or general Christmas merriment in a secular way.
- The reason for the season — Religious songs focusing on the reason that we celebrate, be they traditional hymns that everyone knows or newer songs (see below)
- Made-up songs — This is the “newer” song. I’ve gone 180 degrees on this type. They used to sort of annoy me, because I wanted to listen to songs I knew, but now I really like them, because they are new and original, and I often enjoy them most of all.
The cover of Josh Wilson’s Noel represents the sound pretty well. This CD has a really cool musical sound, and the cover features various musical instruments (I’ll have to listen for the accordion the next time I hear the songs). Two of the songs are instrumental (The First Noel and The Carol of the Bells) which also used to be ones I chose to skip, but these are pretty cool versions of these traditional. Listen to the samples and I think you’ll agree.
The other tunes on this CD are a mix of religious traditional and new songs. One of the new songs, challenges us to do more for others, more than just “Once a Year” and features another of my favorite musicians, Andrew Peterson. “Christmas Changes Everything” is another one that I think will be a seasonal radio hit.
Christmas: God with Us Jeremy Camp’s CD. Though there are some traditional religious favorites such as “Joy to the World,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and the perfectly suited to his voice “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” this CD has more of a fun/pop feel to it to me. Holiday songs such as “Let it Snow,” and “Jingle Bell Rock” are outnumbered, but even the more traditional hymns have a rocking arrangement, so I guess that’s why I get that vibe.
Hillsong’s We Have a Savior has been my most delightful surprise. I was imagining chorus-y sort of sing-along anthems, but boy was I wrong. Most of these are traditional hymns, such as “O Come Let Us Adore Him” and “Joy to the World,” but they have intriguing (but not downright weird) arrangements that make them compelling and wonderful. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” is upbeat and has interesting instruments.
Even though many of these are among the most traditional Christmas songs, the earnestness of the arrangements make them truly worshipful, which means this should NOT have been a surprise to me, since music that makes one worship the Lord is exactly what I should expect from Hillsong.
One of you will win all three of these CDs that are each so different. Leave me a comment telling which style of song you generally look for on your CDs. I’ll announce the winner on November 14, and you should receive your CDs in plenty of time to enjoy them for the whole season. The giveaway is closed.
- The winner of The Witch of Babylon is #10 Beth C.
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i love to look for a folk-y type song or just a really upbeat one.
aimymichelle[at]gmail[dot]com
Love your expert angle on Christmas music. 🙂 I prefer “made-up songs”, or at least old songs with a new vibe, in the reason-for-the-season genre.
I love Jeremy Camp! Christian rock is my favorite style.
I really enjoy all kinds of Christmas music. [email protected]
I generally look for the traditional holiday songs, especially instrumental versions of carols. These all sounds wonderful to try!
I LOVE Christmas music!!! thanks for the giveaway!
I enjoy the carols, but I’m always open to new songs.
My kids are excited since they can officially pull out the Christmas music tomorrow. This would be a wonderful addition to our Christmas collection!
I love Christmas music!! I’m already listening to a tiny bit of it. I know, it’s early… 😉 My favorite are the traditional hymns with a bit of updating done in the musical arrangement. Not to make it pop-sounding but so it doesn’t feel like it’s from the 1800s.
Fun giveaway!
I love a variety of Christmas music, some to put me in the cheery mood and some to uplift my spirit.
Hark the herald angels sing and winter wonderland
I love listening to “the reason for the season” type of Christmas music.
I like all Christmas music but traditional is probably my favorite.
Hmmm…good question. I know myself enough to know that I like traditional hymns and carols, done with an understated modern twist.
I like Christmas albums where the music compliments the message, neither overwhelming nor detracting from it, and for me that means something neither completely traditional, but also not completely “pop”ish. But having been out of the country for a decade, I really don’t have a clue what good Christmas albums are out there these days.
I like various renditions of songs; from
folk music, easy listening and pop!
Many thanks, Cindi
The kind of music I like depends on the kind of mood I am in, but I tend toward those with meaning about the season. The lighthearted ones make me feel like I should be hanging out with friends and looking at Christmas lights.
I love traditional music and also bright, happy ones!
someluckydog at gmail dot com
I love upbeat, catchy songs. In Christmas music, I like more traditional songs, and sometimes ones that have been re-made in an original way.
I’ve usually favored reason-for-the-season songs but with elementary-aged kids now, I want them to learn the traditional, holiday songs too.
Yay! It’s time for Christmas music!
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Wow, I can’t believe it’s time to break out Christmas music! I used to not like the “new” Christmas songs either, but I do enjoy them now.
I love folk music, jazz and holiday music.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I usually go for holiday cds that are upbeat or country. But I like almost anything!
You won, Staci! Please reply with your shipping info.
I do tend to prefer the traditonal sounding Xmas songs. I could use some new Xmas music thanks!
Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the reminder that I can enter!
I like a mixture, but Jeremy Camp is probably the sort I reach for the most! 🙂
I love music i can sing along to!
Hi there great giveaway. I love different types of music from modern to traditional. Christmas music is beautiful and these cds look fabulous . happy holidays to all.
i tend to listen to tradional christmas musis…thanks for this giveaway 🙂
We listen to a lot of Christmas music during the holidays.
My wife would love this, all three look to be good.
I prefer a more traditional sounding x-mas CD.
I like listening to something more of the calm side.
I enjoy well done Christmas music, not all wild and crazy!
Always look for a new Christmas Cd if they have Away in a Manger, Mary did you know, and Silent Night.I want to worship Christ being born and sing with the CD.
I gravitate toward Reason for the Season songs with an upbeat arrangement.
Confession: I already got the Josh Wilson CD (couldn’t wait!), but if I win I will pass it along to someone else. 🙂