Candice is a busy wife to Matt and mom of Noah (5) and Tyler (3 going on 21). Candice also works part-time at our Rosebank Store of Christian Book Discounters. In her spare time she writes her own blog & is a travel consultant.
Steve Curtis Chapman & Keith and Kirsten Getty
Christmas music can either classy or corny. Outside of the traditional Christmas carols, contemporary Christian artists are writing amazing Christmas albums. I had a listen to two of them and here are my views on them
Steven Curtis Chapman ~ JOY!
I’m a HUGE SCC fan. I have been since he started out and my dad used to play me “The Great Adventure” every time we drove somewhere ~ I must’ve been 9 year old and I’ve followed him since then. This is his second Christmas album ~ the first being “All I Really Want For Christmas.” This new one, titled Joy, is a great mix of traditional and original, self-penned material. It comes with the typical Curtis Chapman acoustic arrangements and brilliant versions of traditional Christmas tracks like What Child Is This? And We Three Kings. He features the African Children’s Choir on 4 tracks and he’s co-written with his son Caleb on the album as well. If you’re already a Steven Curtis Chapman fan, this will not disappoint. If you aren’t really familiar with him, then this will be a great discovery for all of you who are fans of acoustic, soft rock artists. His honest, Christ-centered lyrical content and relatable singing style will hit right to the heart of what Christmas is really about.
The Gettys ~ Joy! An Irish Christmas
If you’re a lover of everything traditional, than this is the album for you. It reminded me a little of the soundtracks to Lord of the Dance or Riverdance ~ that’s how strong the Irish influence is on this album. The Getty’s, popular writers of modern day hymns including In Christ Alone, hail from Ireland and have made an album based on their roots and its musical style.
On the inside leaflet, there is a personal note from the couple on where each song originated and how they came to record it as it is. There is a mix of traditional and original Christmas music on this collection, all with a strong Irish flavour. They’ve co-written three songs with Stuart Townend. I loved “Carol of The Bells” which features an Irish jig half way through the track and their version of “Joy To The World” is beautiful.
Again, if you’re a Getty’s fan already, this will be a wonderful addition to your collection. Hauntingly beautiful, with Kristyn Getty’s voice so clear and enchanting. If you haven’t had contact with any of the Getty’s music before, but you’re a fan of traditional Irish music, this album would be a wonderful gift to yourself.
Twice the amount of musical JOY! this Christmas!
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