Easily my favorite Christmas album, 13 Dec 2003

By	Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews

The album opens with Dream a Dream (Elysium), Charlotte's duet with young Billy Gilman; granted, this is not exactly a Christmas song, but it is a beautiful, soul-stirring piece of music I can't keep myself from playing over and over again. It is a wonderful introduction to the other songs to follow. Among the tracks are several secular songs that all will recognize. Charlotte's unmatched professional musical styling imparts a refreshingly new spin on Winter Wonderland and The Christmas Song. The more serious When a Child Is Born, a song I was unfamiliar with, and The Little Drummer Boy, along with the joyful Ding Dong! Merrily on High stand somewhere between secular and religious pieces, providing an easy transition to the spiritual songs Charlotte was seemingly born to sing.

One comes to feel as if one knows certain hymns such as Joy to the World, O Come, All Ye Faithful, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing from singing them in church every December, but no one I have heard has ever imbued these songs with the power and splendor that pours out of Charlotte's soul. The final verse and chorus of each of these hymns is simply amazing, with Charlotte gracefully lilting over notes far too high for most talented sopranos. The same can be said of O Holy Night; to me, this is the quintessential Christmas hymn, and only a rare few have the voice to sing the song the way it was meant to be sung. Of course, Charlotte's voice loses none of its power and beauty in songs written in a less vocally challenging register. Songs such as Mary's Boy Child, What Child Is This? (Greensleeves), God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, and Silent Night reflect a somberly respectful quality, and Charlotte more than does these songs justice. She brings equal amounts of passion, warmth, and respect to each of the songs on this album.

Charlotte also provided me with a wonderful introduction to several songs I had never heard before: The Coventry Carol (Lully Lullay), Draw Tua Bethlehem/Far Over Bethlehem, Gabriel's Message, and Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming. Draw Tua Bethlehem features both Welsh and English lyrics, and Charlotte's voice is equally beautiful in any language. For me, this entire album is nothing short of perfect. The contributions of the London Symphony Orchestra and Choir as well as the New London Children's Choir should not be overlooked, especially given the fact that several of these songs basically require the backup of heavenly choirs proclaiming the good news, and Julian Smith deserves recognition for his superb arrangements of most of the tracks on the album. With so much talent brought to bear on this project, it is only natural that this CD should find an important place in many a music lover's Christmas traditions.

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