The Bottom Line
Collin Raye recorded this classic sounding record ten years
ago yet it still sounds as good now as it did then. Simply put, it's one
of the best Christmas albums anyone could possibly own. It's a constant
holiday companion for me.
Pros
- "It Could Happen Again"
- "The First Noel"
- "Little Drummer Boy"
Cons
- May be a bit hard to find.
Description
- Released by Epic Records Nashville.
- Produced by John Hobbs.
- Johnny Cash gives spoken word intro for one song.
Guide Review - Collin Raye - Christmas: The Gift
Possessing a passionate and explosive tenor voice, Collin Raye burst on
the country music scene in the early 1990's. He released timeless ballad
after timeless ballad and saw his first four regular albums all go
platinum (something that rarely happens). In 1995, at the peak of his
career, Collin released a collection of holiday standards that featured
little country music. In fact, only the new song "It Could Happen Again,"
sounded even remotely country. But that shouldn't deter anyone from
enjoying this record. It is, bar none, one of the best Christmas albums
ever recorded and some of Collin's renditions showcase just how good a
vocalist he is. It is the album that he was able to spread his wings on
without "alienating" his core fans.
Great songs like "Silent Night" (Sung with his then teenage Daugher, Brittany), "The First Noel," "Winter Wonderland" (performed with The Beach Boys), and "O Holy Night" really grab the listener and put them in the holiday spirit. As previously mentioned, "It Could Happen Again" is a new track. However, it's a new track that is certainly worthy of becoming a holiday standard much like how Skip Ewing's "Christmas Carol" has become a modern holiday standard.
There are no bones about it: "The Gift" is a classy and classic Christmas album that will continue to be played by me every Christmas season.
