Various Artists

Item: Humble King: Christmas Around the World
Author: Marie Asner

Humble King: Christmas Around the World

(2002)

Reviewed by Marie Asner

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Label Vineyard MusicThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

adult contemporary ccm worship

Humble King is an easy-listening mix of contemporary and classic carols. There are some songs one doesn't usually hear such as "Adoramus Te," "Wexford Carol," and "Once In Royal David's City." Then, contemporary songs are added such as the title song, "Humble King," "Shout," and "Breath of Heaven." The majority of the music is homogenized music with the individual singers and instrumentalists keeping the same beat so that one carol flows into another. Orchestrations are lush and one gets the feeling of walking by a concert hall hearing refrains and walking by again in ten minutes and hearing the same refrains.

There are standouts in this album and one is the first track, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day." Many musicians do this one loud, but here it is melancholy and nicely done by Sarah Greeno-McCarty. Others are the two instrumental versions of "Advent Carol" and "Once In Royal David's City." Both feature soprano saxophone, keyboard and drums to good effect. Unfortunately, the names of the musicians were not included. Saroop Oommen wrote and sings "Shout" and what a beat to accompany the words, "...peace without end, we will shout with cries of joy." Last, Lonnie Ott does wonders with the Irish carol, "Wexford Carol," which changes the tone of the CD to include penny whistle as accompaniment for a Celtic flair. Ott's full-bodied voice gives emphasis to "...with thankful heart and joyful mind."

Unfortunately, Adele Kane's version of "My Soul" hedges on the "h" sound so that we don't hear the "h" on "humble" or "he." "umble" and "e" don't make it. Also, on "I Wonder As I Wander," Michelle Stafford jumps on the ending of "angels" so that we have "ang-jills" instead of "an-gels." These points can make or break a song.

All in all, Humble King has a nice collection of 15 carols and if you are ready for an easy-listening album, this may be the one for you.

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