Winter Wonderland (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Jerry Kimbrough (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); David Hungate (guitar); George Cocchini, Tom Bukovac (electric guitar); Sam Levine (flute); Lee Levine (clarinet, bass clarinet); Mark Douthit (saxophone); Mike Haynes (trumpet); Shane Keister (piano); Blair Masters (keyboards); Paul Leim, Dan Needham (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); John David Webster (vocals).

Audio Mixer: Steve Bishir.

Recording information: EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Oceanway Studio, Nashville, TN; Oxford Sound, Nashville, TN; The Philadelphia Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA.

Ensembles: London Session Orchestra; Philadelphia Boys Choir.

Photographer: Aaron Rapoport.

Arrangers: Carl Marsh; Chris Eaton.

Christmas is about the only time of year Christian music artists -- at least those who sing exclusively for believers -- can get away with recording secular music. For the most part, the content of their selections is innocuous -- standards, love songs, a few songs about Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty -- but it's curious how comfortably the material cohabitates with more sacred, solemn fare about Christ's first advent. Such is the case with Point of Grace's Winter Wonderland, the foursome's second seasonal album since 1999's gold-selling A Christmas Story. Like that album, the project is basically split right down the middle between carols and American classics, but, once again, everything is performed and produced so majestically, so gloriously, it's easy for one to forget about the subject matter and revel in the sweeping arrangements, the lush orchestrations, and the absorbing holiday ambience created by the ladies and their producer -- in this case, the always reliable Brown Bannister. If played continuously, it's almost as if both albums came from the same sessions -- a testament to the timeless, classic feel of the seasonal fare included here. When guided by the right vocal coach, Point of Grace can also turn in some truly breathtaking four-part harmonies, as in the all a cappella "In the First Light" and the sprawling, Macy's-friendly "Santa Medley." Deep down, though, Point of Grace are a Christian pop group at heart and, reasonably, the quartet covers Christmas stuff once recorded by CCM colleagues Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, two acts the singers have toured with during holiday seasons past. No matter the provenance of the tunes, Winter Wonderland is Christmas music of the highest order, whether you need a soundtrack for reflection, last-minute shopping, or both. ~ Andree Farias

CCM sensation Point of Grace weigh in with their second holiday offering. The pristine harmonies of this quartet are as smooth and creamy as egg nog on an assortment of Christmas favorites, including "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Jingle Bells," and a well-arranged medley that includes "pop" yuletide hits like "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Producer Brown Bannister--with his alternately sweeping and understated touches-- puts the icing on this tasty Christmas sugar cookie. minimize