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Collin Raye - Christmas: Gift Audio CD

A fair review of the Collin Raye "Christmas: Gift" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Collin Raye reviews here, or go back to the Collin Raye tabs.

Collin Raye Band: Collin Raye
Title: Christmas: Gift
Rating:
Release Date: 2002-06-01
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Christmas Song 2: I'll Be Home for Christmas 3: It Could Happen Again 4: First Noel 5: Away in a Manger 6: White Christmas 7: Winter Wonderland 8: Angels We Have Heard on High 9: Little Drummer Boy 10: Silent Night 11: First Noel [Instrumental Reprise] 12: O Holy Night

Mostly the standards, brilliantly performed
I eventually decided to buy it when I learned that Collin sang all the songs full length, including verses that are frequently omitted. These days, I tend to prefer albums that go beyond just the obvious tracks, but I kept hearing from a variety of sources how good this album was. I can confirm that Collin sings all the songs brilliantly and that the version of White Christmas here includes the first verse setting the scene in Beverley Hills, although I note that there`s an instrumental break between that verse and the rest of the song. It would therefore be easy for a suitably skilled engineer to edit that verse out and just use the standard song on a compilation, though I don`t know if that`s ever happened. I hope not. If there are other songs that include extra lyrics, I don't know as I haven't studied it closely enough. However, there are plenty of other delights in this fine album.

The only song that I'd never heard before, It could happen again, is an original song that begins with a Johnny Cash narration about a wartime Christmas truce, after which Collin sings the song expressing the hope that it could happen again. Wishful thinking, maybe, but a nice sentiment and let's hope that it proves correct. Of the other songs here, the least frequently recorded is surely Angels we have heard on high. The other songs (The Christmas song, I'll be home for Christmas, The first Noel, Away in a manger, Winter wonderland, Little drummer boy, Silent night, O holy night) have, like the aforementioned White Christmas, been recorded frequently and will continue to be recorded by subsequent generations, because they are great songs and the public love them. Two of them (Away in a manger, Silent night) feature the voice of his daughter Brittany as a duet partner and very good she sounds too. There's also an instrumental reprise of The first Noel.

Yes, I wish that Collin had opted for a slightly more imaginative track selection, but a lot of people just want to hear familiar songs. Within that framework, Collin has provided sufficient variation, with the extra lyrics, the duet partner and the one original song, to appeal to everybody who enjoys easy listening Christmas music - and Collin's versions of the familiar songs are as good as anybody else's out there.
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you NEED to add this to your collection!
. Collin Raye is always an exceptional performer, so it was no surprise that this CD is so great! This is music that everyone should listen to during the Christmas season.


The Best...
I am and have always been a huge Collin Raye fan. This is the best Christmas CD I ever had. When I bought this CD it was a no brainer.
There are only 3 performers that I am disappointed if I cannot see when they are in my area. Two are Garth Brooks and Billy Joel. Of course Collin Raye is the 3rd. But, since he is rarely in my area (only once in the--oh boy--10 + years I have been listening to him) I can't see him. The one time I can remember was Memorial Day weekend of '05. He was at a local Country Night Club. My ex-boyfriend (and he was an ex than) called me and asked if I wanted to go since he remembered how much I loved Collin Raye. I was in awe. I sang along to EVERY song and dance like it was prom night all over again. The only thing that brought me that much elation was Adam Graves, of (at that time) the NY Rangers hockey team, smiling at a sign I made "for him" at a game they played in Florida.
Even when I played this CD in August my ex just looked at me (like I was a nut but knew). I lost the CD a little less than a year a go and, it being Christmas time, I am longing for it so I had to buy a new one. I recommend it for EVERYONE, even non-country music fans.


Collin Raye gives us the Gift of his voice ...
However, Collin Raye has a special talent in that he can really touch you with his voice. I don't normally listen to Country music. The songs that he sings on "The Gift" are real and heartfelt. You can tell he means what he sings. Especially on the song, "First Noel". His singing is so compassionate, you can visualize the words to the song. I love the opening words spoken by Johnny Cash on "It Could Happen Again". Johnny sets up a song that is very touching. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has Collin singing at his very best. I was really surprized that Collin could sing so well. I had low expectation when I bought this. However, after listening to it year after year around the holidays, I must say that this is one of my favorite Christmas CDs.


PLEASANT CHRISTMAS GIFT
This is both a blessing and a curse for Raye. Collin Raye has demonstrated over the years his unique vocal style---a high, high tenor that sometimes seems as if he's not gonna quite hit the note, but somehow he does. This album shows that trait on several of the cuts. I Sometimes wonder why he doesn't sing in at least a half note or so lower, then it might come across a little cleaner, a little more natural.
In spite of this, however, one can't deny his effectiveness on this collection of standard holidays tunes, with the inclusion of "It Could Happen Again", a song about the truce in WW II where both sides lay down their weapons and shared Christmas together. This cut is the highlight of the album, along with his Beach-Boyish "Winter Wonderland".
Raye exhibits great taste in his arrangements, and also shows that he has a true Christian spirit in both his singing and in the messages he includes in the liner notes.
RECOMMENDED.


You can see a complete list of all Collin Raye discography, or go back to the Collin Raye tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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