Amy Grant is a staple to many who've been listening to Christian music for years. I remember singing over and over to "El Shaddai" when I was much, much younger and recently I've passed that same song on to my younger kids to love and enjoy (you might even remember the video I posted of Ashleigh singing it a while back).
But Grant's musical career has not been limited to only the Christian world. hits like
"I Will Remember You", "Baby Baby" and "That's What Love is For" brought her talent to an entire different genre of music listeners in the contemporary pop market. In addition, duets with her husband, Vince Gill, have also made her relevant in the Country music world as well, making Amy Grant a true crossover artist for many generations of listeners.
While not a newcomer to the Christmas album market,
Tennessee Christmas is her first holiday album release since her 2008 release of
The Christmas Collection. But unlike other albums of the past, this album seems raw and earthy - in a good way. Grant's voice is not over synthesized as so many artists are these days. This album gives you Grant accompanied with music that does not overpower or cover her vocals, allowing for a very easy listening, timeless feel.
This release offers thirteen songs, mostly new with a few oldies sprinkled in - but all newly recorded.
- Tennessee Christmas
- To Be Together
- Christmas for You and Me
- Melancholy Christmas
- December
- White Christmas
- Joy To The World
- I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
- Baby it's Cold Outside (with Vince Gill)
- Christmas Don't Be Late
- Still Can't Sleep
- Another Merry Christmas
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
While there are a few holiday classics that one might expect from a holiday album, Tennessee Christmas also includes a number of original songs that cover the full spectrum of emotions one might feel during the holidays. "Christmas for You and Me" touches home on the exhaustion that every parent feels on Christmas morning when the kids wake us up way too early after we've been up way to late wrapping presents. "Still Can't Sleep" describes the magic and the excitement that one feels on Christmas Eve waiting for the big day. "Melancholy Christmas" brings to mind that not everyone shares that same excitement because of being lonely for Christmas and just reaching out to anyone to share the holiday with together rather than spending it alone.
"White Christmas" had to be one of my favorites on this album. The Blues/Jazzy feel of this rendition with the hi-hat drum beats and the tickling of the ivories made for a really nice listening, perfect for a cold night and a glass of scotch while relaxing by the fire. Close your eyes and you'll swear your in your local jazz club. This jazzy feel continues on with Grant's rendition of "Joy to the World", "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", and "Baby It's Cold Outside" really creates a nice flow from song to song. As my husband and I both are huge Jazz music fans, we really enjoyed these selections.
Another song I really enjoyed, but that puts a different aspect on the holiday, is "Another Merry Christmas". A beautiful but haunting reminder that the feelings of the holiday changes for some as the family dynamics changes. Children grow up and become adults and leave home and start families of their own, parents become elderly and experience the loss of a spouse and those left behind are reminded of those losses when the holidays come around.
Overall, I found this to be a wonderful Christmas album and an great addition to our music library. I enjoyed all the songs (thought, honestly, I could have done without the addition of "Christmas Don't Be Late" as I kept waiting for Alvin, Simon and Theodore which kinda ruined the flow for me). If you're a fan of Amy Grant or holiday music with a nice jazzy, easy listening feel, this is an album you'll want.
And here's the great news. Thanks to Flyby/Propeller Promotions, I have a copy of Tennessee Christmas to give away for one of my lucky readers to get a copy of their very own. Enter below for your chance to win. Open to residents of US only..
Legal Stuff:
'Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
