Ten years after he delivered the lovely
Christmas,
Michael W. Smith offered another holiday record with
Christmastime. It's a surprisingly varied record, ranging from newer songs performed with adult contemporary arrangements, and an instrumental duet with
Phil Keaggy on "O Christmas Tree" to traditional medleys supported by the
American Boy Choir and a full orchestra, plus his daughter
Anna singing "Away in a Manger." The album benefits from the diversity, since holiday records often sound a bit too homogenous.
Smith's, however, is teeming with life and love -- a perfect soundtrack for a joyous Christmastime. ~ Rodney Batdorf