20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection: The Best of Amy Grant (CD - 2003)

With a title like The Christmas Collection: The Best of Amy Grant, it might be presumed that this disc would contain selections from all three of Grant's prior holiday releases. That assumption would be incorrect as Universal, trying to gain some mileage out of their back catalog, has simply pasted their 20th Century Masters series logo on a repackaged version of Grant's 1992 A&M holiday album, Home for Christmas. However, despite Universal's deceptive marketing ploy, it should not deter anyone from listening to this lovely collection if it happened to be missed in its first incarnation. Since she has never been a forceful vocalist, these lushly orchestrated Christmas standards and originals are a perfect setting for Grant's soft tones. If some of the standards fall a bit flat, like the lifeless "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," she makes up for the missteps with two originals she co-wrote: the stark "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" and the quietly affecting "Emmanuel, God With Us." Although not in the same league as Grant's classic A Christmas Album, this collection can still provide a warm atmosphere on those chilly winter evenings. ~ Aaron Latham

Renowned for her contemporary Christian hit recordings, pop singer Amy Grant indulges in both religious and secular holiday songs with this CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. A string section sets the mood for Grant's gentle rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," while horns and woodwinds join in for a jaunty version of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Grant's amiable vocals carry every song gracefully, whether she's singing over the simple guitar-and-choir arrangement of "O' Come All Ye Faithful" or a full-band cover of Carly Simon's boisterous "The Night Before Christmas." Grant also contributes two original songs, the contemplative "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" and the keyboard-laden "Emmanuel, God with Us." A serene seasonal offering, Grant's CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is sure to bring out the holiday spirit in just about anyone. minimize