For those who love everything about Christmas
Snow Globe
Artist: Matt Wertz (www.mattwertz.com)
Label: Handwritten Records (Provident)
Length: 12 tracks/42:10 minutes
Matt Wertz’s love of all things Christmas is obvious on Snow Globe. It’s like being shaken in
the midst of one and being caught-up in a swirl of wonder. It’s enough to make
you rethink the seemingly mundane.
With the help of producer Ben Shive (a collaborator with
Andrew Peterson), Wertz has given us a near classic. It is one of the most
enjoyable Christmas recordings that I have heard. In a word, this is fun. Given
that it’s a celebration of every aspect of the season, it has broad appeal. You
could give this to someone who is not a person of faith without concern about
causing unnecessary offense.
There is not a single misstep, and this offers a lot: a
wide range of music styles (sometimes in the same song), a selection of
classics complemented by well-written new songs, all conveying different moods
and sentiments.
The CD also includes a handful of guest appearances. The
most notable is Amy Grant on background vocals on her classic, “Tennessee
Christmas.” Dobro gives it a rural, country-feel. This album is worth having
just to get this updated version.
A banjo adds to the whimsy on the title track. It is not
the sort of thing that one normally finds on a Christmas recording, but it is
indicative of the eclectic and sometimes retro production served-up by Ben
Shive. Had a known when I first saw this that he was involved, I would have
jumped at the chance to review this. He is a multi-talented artist and producer
who graces this with wonderful variety.
To give just one example, the most spiritually sublime
moment, The Nashville Children’s Choir on “O Holy Night,” is followed by a
spirited, orchestrated instrumental rendition of “Sleigh Ride.” Hold on tight
or you might fall off. The only other instrumental, an abbreviated
“Christmastime is Here,” is just Shive on piano. It is just the right touch for
a lovely song.
New Christmas songs can be hit or miss, but the ones here
are excellent. One slight drawback is light spiritual content, but that is
okay. There are plenty of other recordings where it is more of a focus. What
makes this exceptional is the exuberance and in how much it encompasses.
It’s also decidedly upbeat. This is no blue Christmas. Just
try to stay down after listening to this.
Even better, consider becoming like some I know who have
a high regard for Christmas music and are not afraid to listen to it any time
of the year. You might be surprised at how rewarding it can be.
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