Christmas (CD - 2001)

Personnel includes: Jaci Velasquez, Pete Orta (vocals); Michael Ripoll (guitar); David Davidson (strings); Mark Douthit (saxophone); Mike Haynes (trumpet); Scott Krippayne, Tim Acres (piano); Kent Hooper (keyboards); Abel Orta (bass); Javier Solis, Taylor Harris (drums); Ken Lewis (percussion).

Alvin & The Chipmunks: Christopher Harris, Gary Pigg (vocals); Ross & Janice Bagdasarian (spoken vocals).

Personnel: George Cocchini, Jerry McPherson, Michael Ripoll, Ronnie Brooks, Dave Cleveland (guitar); David Davidson (strings); Mark Douthit (saxophone); Mike Haynes (trumpet); Chris Dunn, Doug Moffett, Sam Levine , Chris McDonald, Jeff Bailey , Barry Green, Steve Patrick, Denis Solee, George Tidwell, Ernie Collins (horns); Tim Acres, Scott Krippayne (piano); Kent Hooper (keyboards, programming); Javier Solís, Taylor Harris, John Hammond (drums); Ken Lewis (percussion); Chris Harris, Terri White, Leanne Albrecht, Lisa Bevill, Lisa Cochran, Mark Ivey, Tim Davis, Michael Mellett, Felicia Sorensen, Gary Pigg (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Kent Hooper ; Rob Burrell; Steve MacMillan; Tom Laune.

Recording information: Bethel Lutheran Church, Cupertino, CA; Bulldog Studio, Franklin, TN; Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA; Fun Attic Studios, Franklin, TN; House Of Big, Franklin, TN; Sound Kitchen Studios, Franklin, TN; Windmill Lane Recording Studio, Dublin, Ireland.

Photographer: Dorian Caster.

Unknown Contributor Role: Danny O'Lannerghty.

Arrangers: Chris Harris; Tom Howard.

Christian Latina performer Jaci Velasquez's entry in the Christmas CD stakes is a take-no-prisoners collection of songs old and new, traditional and modern. In among bona-fide classics such as "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," and "The First Noel" are dotted such soon-to-become classics as "The Angel Song" and "Season of Love," which highlight both Velasquez's crystal-clear voice and her Christian faith.

Lest the whole thing become too serious, there's also a chirpy version of Jose Feliciano's perennial "Feliz Navidad" and a duet with Alvin and the Chipmunks, who don't seem to have aged a bit in 50-odd years, on the appropriately-titled "Chipmunk Song." CHRISTMAS is a winning combination of classic cheer and seasonal Christianity. minimize