Even though it’s already Christmas, one of our favorite traditions is to buy a Christmas album or two after Christmas, put them away unwrapped with all of the Christmas decorations, and then find new music ready to go next year. A few last Christmas album reviews this week may help you put away the right albums for Christmas 2009.
Either Sheryl Crow has lost her edge or Hallmark is trying to find their edge. Crow’s Holiday CD, Home for Christmas, is only available at Hallmark Gold Crown stores with the purchase of two greeting cards. From the people who have brought us cards for every occasion, singing sound byte cards, and an entire cable television channel dedicated to sweet, uplifting, glossy movies, now comes Crow’s offering of holiday music.
Crow landed on the scene back in 1994 with “All I Wanna Do.” She had a pop rock that grabbed Bonnie Raitt’s bluesy rock, straightened it up a bit, and brought diva and rock ‘n’ roller together in some sort mix that meant it’s okay to think that a pop star at the top of the charts was more of an artist than simply a voice.
Through the years some of the edge has fallen off, but mainly she’s still an artist despite being a pop sensation. However, Home for Christmas sounds mainly phoned in from a strip mall Gold Crown store via a record-your-own-message greeting card.
“Go Tell It on the Mountain” begins the album with promise. It should be the kind of song that Crow is all over with its bluesy, Gospel dimensions. But despite the help of the session musician Gospel chorus, Crow seems tired and bored.
The one spot on this album that not surprisingly shines is Crow’s own song, “There is a Star That Shines Tonight.” Crow settles into the piano, softly croons the ballad, and lets the song grow from its Christmas-like chords. It’s a lyric of reminiscences of holiday scenes and prayers for distant loved ones, especially those in the midst of war and turmoil. Yet, the chorus works in some biblical imagery that recalls the prophecies about Jesus Christ fulfilled with His birth.
Peace on earth, and in our hearts,
Let love ring out, ring near and far,
And lift the weary and the weak,
Keep you near this Christmas Eve,
There is a star that shines tonight.
This is a song that I wouldn’t hesitate to adapt for use in worship next Christmas season. Crow’s writing remains accessible while also soulful, recalls popular Christmas moments but also points to the images that only find fulfillment in Jesus.
That imagery leads right into the next track where she closes out the album with “All Through the Night,” known in hymnals as “Sleep my love, and peace attend thee” (tune: a traditional Welsh lullaby, Ar Hyd y Nos). Crow’s is a laid back version, James Preston’s snare drum softly driving out a pace that opens up the mystery, wonder, peace, and joy of Christmas evening.
Sheryl Crow
Hallmark Gold Crown Stores
A&M/Interscope Records
