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Chris Tomlin
Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs Of Worship
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 55 minutes, 1 second
Street Date: October 6, 2009
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Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs Of Worship is the first Christmas album by famed worship leader
Chris Tomlin. On the record, Tomlin and his band are joined by Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, and Audrey
Assad in a live performance recorded in Nashville over two nights. The album features a collection of inspirational holiday
favorites, as well as four original compositions. Tomlin and his live band have always had a knack for getting the crowd
motivated, and this project is no different.
Glory In The Highest starts off on a surprisingly slow note with "O Come All Ye Faithful," and the listener
is instantly treated to the combination of Tomlin's unassuming voice mixed with the heartfelt congregational participation.
After a complete listen of the album, this song in particular stands out due to its resonating chorus and obviously
engrossed audience. Next comes the upbeat version of "Angels We Have Heard On High," and a piano driven "Emmanuel
(Hollowed Manger Ground)." "My Soul Magnifies The Lord" almost has a twangy country feel, while the rendition of "Joy To The
World" is especially high-powered, and even contains a completely new refrain. "O, Holy Night" is performed with the
appropriate level of somberness, and newcomer Audrey Assad proves her worth with a wonderful duet on "Winter Snow."
The album's closer, "Born That We May Have Life" could possibly become a new inspirational Christmas favorite, featuring
Tomlin plainly laying out the "reason for the season" in song alongside a group of soul singers.
Undoubtedly, the best aspects of Glory In The Highest occur when the music stops, and the audience sings out
loud. In those moments, listeners are transported to a wintery Christmas Eve church service, complete with all the warm
feelings associated with such a night. That being said, the album somehow fails to sound, well, Christmas-y. Most things
standard to Christmas music-- the bells, the strings, the soft crooning of the singer-- are unfortunately absent from
Glory In The Highest. True, the record is more focused on the worship side of the holidays, but it wouldn't hurt to
throw in a few choice seasonal elements, would it?
Glory In The Highest is, for the most part, a wonderful listen. It very rarely disappoints its targeted
audience; that is to say, it's a worship album first and a Christmas album second. Unfortunately, it really does not deliver
in the typical way associated with holiday music. There are no influences from Bing Crosby, there are no blue Christmases,
and there are certainly no sleigh bells. The truth remains that Chris Tomlin is Chris Tomlin, and Glory In The Highest
is a Chris Tomlin Christmas record. Perhaps, the downfall lies with the fact that it was recorded in June and released in
October. In any case, Glory In The Highest is a valiant effort from Tomlin & Co., and a relatively nice companion
for the season.
- Review date: 10/5/09, written by Garrett DeRossett of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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For being one of the best-known and top selling Christian artists out there, it sure has taken awhile for
Chris Tomlin to put out a Christmas record. And now that the time is finally here, some parts of
Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship fall into place, while others don't. The classics on the record
are well done, with the background choir giving each of them a nice touch. The fact that the album is a live recording
is also a big bonus, creating a more intimate feel. Other tracks though, don't create the same vibe, as they don't
resemble or sound like Christmas music - instead, they seem like they could fit in easily with a typical and generic
Chris Tomlin worship record. Despite this though, Glory... might be worth a few listens this Christmas season.
Especially notable is "Winter Snow," featuring guest vocals from Audrey Assad. When all is said and done, Tomlin fans will
be delighted right away. For others, it may take a few listens, but there's something here for everyone to like.
- Logan Leasure of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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 Record Label: Sparrow Records / Sixstepsrecords
Album length: 12 tracks: 55 minutes, 1 second
Street Date: October 6, 2009
Buy It: Amazon.com
Buy It: iTunes
- O, Come All Ye Faithful (5:39)
- Angels We Have Heard On High (3:44)
- Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground) (3:57)
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (3:40)
- My Soul Magnifies The Lord (6:21)
- Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) (3:51)
- Glory In The Highest (4:39)
- O, Holy Night (6:16)
- Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (2:59)
- Light Of The World (4:57)
- Winter Snow (Featuring Audrey Assad) (3:33)
- Born That We May Have Life (5:31)
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