T'is the season and here come the new Christmas albums for this year. Seasonal albums usually don't excite me much, but Kim Hill's Real Christmas is a bright and earthy offering fusing country, pop, folk and gospel into a rewarding listening experience.
Hill's invitingly rich, warm vocals are the focal point. Fresh arrangements and sharp production by Jamie Kenney shape this into a high point among Christmas releases.
A duet with Phil Keaggy, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is a winner. Keaggy's amazing guitar work and soulful harmonies are top notch. This is a re-recording of their 1989 version.
There are also two brand new Christmas songs including "Gift of Love," co-written by Kim and producer Kenney, which revisits Mary's response to being God's choice as the mother of Christ.
This is a Christmas album that is overdue. Hill, a Grammy nominated and Dove Award winner, has released twelve albums to date. You will enjoy it.
3.5 tocks
