Christmas Music: Amy Grant

Amy Grant's Christmas albums are modern classics. I particularly love the first and last of her three albums.

Her earliest Christmas album, 1983's A CHRISTMAS ALBUM (linked above), is simply brilliant. Grant co-wrote several of the album's songs, including "Tennessee Christmas," which has become a country Christmas standard covered by singers including Alabama and Lee Greenwood. My favorite tracks are "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," which begins with Grant a cappella and builds to a grand climax with orchestra and chorus, and "Angels We Have Heard on High," which is preceded with an instrumental rendition of "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

The middle album, HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, is the least impressive of the three, but still a very good listen, including a fun cover of "Jingle Bell Rock."

Grant's most recent CD, A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER, is the hands-down favorite of my children. I can easily say that everyone's favorite song is "Christmas Can't Be Very Far Away." "Highland Cathedral" is a wonderful track performed by bagpipers, and "Agnus Dei" is stirring. My copy was sold by Target and includes a hidden bonus track of "Merry Christmas, Darling" which is a very nice "extra."

Light blogging this weekend due to Christmas preparations (the tree went up last night!) and family visits. Hope everyone is enjoying the season!