Christmas Album [Import]

There are 10 songs on this album. In addition to the 2 new Air Supply songs, there are 8 traditional Christmas favorites. The 8 songs are "White Chrismas", "The First Noel", "The Little Drummer Boy", "Silent Night", "The Christmas Song", "Sleigh Ride", "Winter Wonderland", and "O'Come All Ye Faithful". This is sort of a mixed blessing on this album. From one standpoint you will get to hear Air Supply perform a Christmas favorite without damaging the integrity of the song. The other standpoint is "not these songs again!". Although Graham Russell and Russell Hitchock do a tremendous job at performing these songs, it is disappointing that they didn't pick some songs that aren't quite as mainstream as these. Regardless, these songs are perfect for Graham and Russell's voices. The other nice thing is that their performances on this album are really suitable for almost any occasion. I wouldn't hesitate to pop this CD on Christmas Eve or even Christmas Morning while opening presents.

The two best songs on the album are "Sleigh Ride" and "Winter Wonderland". Both songs make use of both Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock's vocals trading off. I always think Air Supply is at its best when both Graham and Russell are doing vocals in a song. In both songs, each contains a nice chorus of background vocals and some nice musical effects to really create a Christmas mood. The duo also performs "White Christmas" and I think that even Bing Crosby would be proud of the job that Russell Hitchcock does on vocals. On "White Christmas" it has a 1940s type of feel to it still. In "The Little Drummer Boy" Graham Russell does a great job at lead vocals for the whole song while Russell Hitchcock take the role of background vocals (it is always good to see Graham Russell on lead vocals).

The two new songs are really good and could easily stand on their own as "Christmas Classics". The "Eyes of a Child" follows a classic Air Supply vocal pattern - Graham Russell starting off on lead vocals, Russell Hitchcock coming in with vocals on the chorus, then a (slight) crescendo toward the end. Russell Hitchcock takes the lead vocals on "Love is All" and really gets a chance to showcase those incredible vocals. "Love is All" has a more classic Air Supply crescendo (larger) toward the end of the song.

The liner notes in the CD are good. Full credits are given to the studio musicians. The lyrics to the new songs are also included. There are a few pictures of Graham and Russell with some children. It is also worth knowing that Graham and Russell are co-producers on this album along with Michael Lloyd and I think the personal touch on the production gives this album a boost.

In a nutshell, this is a good Air Supply album and this is a good Christmas album. You'll only play it during the month of December and you might get tired of it by Christmas eve, but by next December you will want to pop it into your CD player again.

This is very good but, in my mind, similar enough to other CDs such as those from 98 Degrees, Lonestar, etc., that it doesn't hit the very top mark. It is however, a most satisfying collection and I recommend it.