Christmastime (CD - 1998)

Personnel includes: Michael W. Smith (vocals, piano); Sandi Patti (vocals); Phil Keaggy (guitar); Shane Keister (piano); David Hungate (bass); Harold Jones (drums); The London Symphony Orchestra, The American Boys Choir.

Personnel: Michael W. Smith (vocals, piano, keyboards, programming); Anna Smith (vocals); Phil Keaggy, Jerry Kimbrough (guitar); Jerry O'Sullivan (tin whistle, Uilleann pipe, bagpipe); Mark Douthit, Sam Levine (alto saxophone); Doug Moffett, Denis Solee (tenor saxophone); Jeff Bailey , Mike Haynes , Steve Patrick, George Tidwell (trumpet); Chris McDonald, Barry Green, Ernie Collins (trombone); Shane Keister (piano); Blair Masters (keyboards); Steve Brewster, Paul Leim (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Chris Harris, Chris Rodriguez, Aimee Joy Weimer, Lisa Cochran, Lori Wilshire, Mark Ivey, Tim Davis, Wayne Kirkpatrick (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Al Schmitt; Steve Bishir; Bill Deaton.

Recording information: Avata; Deer Valley Studio, Franklin, TN; East Iris Sound, Nashville, TN; Quad; SoundStage; Westlake D, Los Angeles, CA.

Directors: Fred Bock; James Litton.

Unknown Contributor Role: London Session Orchestra.

Arranger: Michael W. Smith.

Ten years after he delivered the lovely Christmas, Michael W. Smith offered another holiday record with Christmastime. It's a surprisingly varied record, ranging from newer songs performed with adult contemporary arrangements, and an instrumental duet with Phil Keaggy on "O Christmas Tree" to traditional medleys supported by the American Boy Choir and a full orchestra, plus his daughter Anna singing "Away in a Manger." The album benefits from the diversity, since holiday records often sound a bit too homogenous. Smith's, however, is teeming with life and love -- a perfect soundtrack for a joyous Christmastime. ~ Rodney Batdorf minimize