Artist Info:Discography Album length: 13 tracks: 43 minutes, 47 seconds Street Date: September 18, 2001
Every Christmas season, the Christian music scene is introduced to the latest projects
offered by the greatest in CCM, offering their own personalized renditions of their favorite
holiday tunes. This season, we're treated to an early offering from successful Latin solo artist
Jaci Velasquez, who's career has been an impressive one at her young age.
I've found most Christian artists' Christmas projects to be good, often interesting,
but nothing has ever come close to the traditional songs I grew up with, sung by the talents of yesteryear
Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Mitch Miller, Burl Ives, Nat King Cole, and orchestrated by such as the Glen Miller Band,
Ray Conniff, and others. I haven't found too many CCM Christmas projects to really give off that Christmas
feeling. In fact, often times you can listen to those projects any time of the year, and it would be just the same.
Miss Velasquez has broken this trend. She has not only broken it, but hopefully has set a new one.
It's truly Christmas in September this year.
Jaci's debut Christmas-themed project, appropriately titled Christmas, blends old-time big band,
orchestral, and jazz flavors with her current contemporary pop sounds for a fresh album all her fans should
enjoy. The album opens with a soft and worshipful rendition of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," followed by
one of 3 new songs, "The Angel Song," a song written by Chris Eaton which in a way presents the Gospel message.
"The First Noel" begins much like a traditional song you may have heard in the early and mid 1900's with
Jaci's voice being carried softly across seasonal strings and powerful orchestral sounds that you don't hear
too often from a new record these days. Jaci's offering of "White Christmas" gets similar treatment
while new song "It Wouldn't Be Christmas" captures the special bond couples have during the holiday season.
This song is the only of the 3 new tracks to really capture a Christmas feeling, while "Season of Love," featuring
a duet with Pete Orta, and "The Angel Song" feel a little too contemporary, especially being among
everything else on the record. However, considering what Jaci is best known for, she can easily get away
with this.
"Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" is an excellent song driven by a real jazzy feel accompanied by
old-time backing vocals remeniscent of the Andrew sisters who are know for backing the likes of Bing Crosby.
The sleigh bells are a nice touch. Hey, it's so good, you're liable to feel chilly listening to it!
It's amazing how easily Jaci can balance her fresh vocal melodies with the traditional sounds to keep the record
familiar but unique in its own way. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has that soft bluesy sound of the old night club
solos as Jaci's passionate vocals float across subtle strings and a trickling piano.
"Feliz Navidad" closes out the record heavy on the Latino, Mexican side as Velasquez gives her take
on a tune that probably hits home closest musically.
Jaci Velasquez has not only put together a creative, fun, traditional Christmas project that will touch
the hearts of all ages, but she has easily created one of the best-orchestrated Christmas projects put out in
the contemporary Christian music to date. Christmas still amazes me.
- Review date: 9/18/01, written by John DiBiase
Artist Info:Discography Record Label:Word Records Album length: 13 tracks, 43 minutes and 47 seconds
Street Date: September 18, 2001
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
The Angel Song
The First Noel
White Christmas
It Wouldn't Be Christmas
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Season Of Love (Duet With Pete Orta)
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An open Fire)
Artist Info: 
