The acoustic guitar. That’s what strikes me in listening to BEC Recordings’ O Come All Ye Faithful compilation album. The way that most of these songs are richly layered with acoustic guitars and otherwise warm, organic sounds on mainly a set of traditional tunes. You won’t find anything exceptionally original here, but you also won’t be offended by any of the arrangements. It’s a fine, fine album, made for listening while cozy in the house, sipping tea, and enjoying the yuletide.
Yet, even as I say that, Bebo Norman’s “Joy to the World” comes on again with its kick-in-its-step, a slight twang, and a snare drum that keeps things moving ahead. In fact, it brings to mind a church band from Milwaukee called Koiné which has a tremendous way of arranging hymns for a country-Gospel-blues band approach. Much like what Jars of Clay did on their Redemption Songs. When the artists here on O Come All Ye Faithful land somewhere near that sound, they find their stride.
That’s what I found most necessary from another compilation, too. Essential Records’ The Essential Christmas Collection brings together a nice selection of songs as well, but when the artists try to overreach—as on Michael W. Smith’s “All is Well”—it becomes too much. Rather, songs by Third Day, Tenth Avenue North, and others rise to the top of the playlist, because they stay in the style of arranging traditional tunes for an acoustic guitar-led band. In other words, they stay in the Koiné approach.
Both albums, therefore, are probably best purchased and then altered, making your own choice of which tracks are worth letting spin while you sit around the Christmas tree. However, for the most part, you’ll find many of the tracks worthy of your listening.
The strongest, most original track is Jadon Lavik’s grooving take on “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Lavik kicks a Jason Mraz-style laidback groove, vamping on the hymn. Plus, Kutless takes the typically sleepy “Away in a Manger,” adds a little electric guitar, inserts a chorus of sorts, and makes it rock a little more than the other tracks here.
BEC Recordings
Essential Records
