Joy to the World (CD - 2008)

Personnel: London Oratory School Schola, Metro Voices (vocals); Dann Huff, Jerry McPherson, Tom Bukovac (guitar); Pete Hutlinger, Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); David Schnaufer (dulcimer); Jonathan Yudkin (celtic harp, fiddle, viola, cello); Michael Compton (mandolin); Connie Ellisor, Karen Winkelmann, Gerald Greer, Denise Baker, Carolyn Bailey, Beverly Drukker, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Bruce Wethey, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , Alan Umstead, David Angell, Catherine Umstead, Cate Myer, Janet Askey (violin); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Kristin Wilkinson, Jim Grosjean, Monisa Angell, Gary VanOsdale (viola); Julie Tanner, Sari Reist, Lynn Peithmann, Anthony LaMarchina, Carole Rabinowitz-Neuen (cello); Nashville String Machine (strings); Ann Richards (flute); Eric Rigler (tin whistle, Uilleann pipe); Lee Levine (clarinet); Bobby Taylor (oboe); Jim Lotz (bassoon); Doug Moffet, Robbie Shankle, Matt Davich, Sam Levine , Denis Solee, Buddy Skipper (saxophone); Jeff Bailey , Mike Haynes , Steve Patrick, George Tidwell (trumpet); Beth Beeson, Jennifer Krummer, Jeff Meyer, Calvin Smith (French horn); Chris Dunn, Prentiss Hobbs, Chris McDonald, Barry Green (trombone); Gilbert Long (tuba); John Gilutin (piano); Bettie Ross (organ); Jimmy Nichols, Charles Judge (keyboards); Jack Jezioro, Paul Bushnell, Craig Nelson (bass instrument); Glenn Worf (upright bass); Neil Stubenhaus (electric bass); Keith Carlock, Shannon Forrest (drums); Eric Darken, Steve Brewster, Sam Bacco, Ron Sorbo (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Allen Sides.

Arrangers: Dann Huff; Faith Hill; David Campbell; Byron Gallimore.

The marketing department at Warner Brothers must have really wanted to get a jump on the holiday season when they released Faith Hill's 2008 Christmas album, JOY TO THE WORLD, in September. Hill's set of carols and traditional songs may not suit the late summer, but that doesn't make JOY TO THE WORLD any less of a treat. As albums like BREATHE and FIREFLIES proved, Hill has no problem crossing over to mainstream audiences, and this Christmas set (the singer's first) should strengthen that appeal. If the song selection itself isn't surprising--including the usual fare like "What Child is This," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Silent Night"--the arrangements are. A large orchestra, featuring brass, strings, reeds, percussion, and two different choirs, give these renditions a full, sweeping flavor reminiscent of the big bands of the 1940s and `50s. The album also includes an original single, "A Baby Changes Everything," which features one of Hill's most compelling performances.

Faith Hill's holiday album Joy to the World is a proudly old-fashioned record -- almost too much so, really, as there is nothing surprising about it, from its collection of shopworn standards to the full-blown yet curiously stiff production. Basically, this is an album where if you read the title, you will know how the song will sound: "Joy to the World" gets a big, bombastic, orchestral arrangement appropriate for a concert recital, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" swings like Sinatra conducted by Billy May, "Little Drummer Boy" is prim and proper, "Holly Jolly Christmas" feels pulled from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, "Away in a Manger" is sweet and stately. Everything is business as usual, right down to Hill's performances: big, not blustery; they're immaculate theater, sometimes verging on grandstanding but often suited for the occasion. Which might not make Joy to the World a singular holiday album in any respect -- it's too pat and perfect to be memorable -- but for anybody looking for a new old-fashioned Christmas album, this suits the bill just fine. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine minimize