Music review: Susan Boyle – 鈥楬ome for Christmas鈥�
After quickly recovering from a state of turkey overload from shamefully consuming substantial amounts of delectable foods prepared for a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner, it鈥檚 now the perfect time to solely focus on Christmas.
I鈥檝e confessed before to being a Christmas music junkie, collecting nearly 150 Christmas albums over the last 20 years.
Each year, I still get excited to discover new seasonal releases to add to my collection.
Susan Boyle tops this year鈥檚 selections as the Scottish singer releases her second holiday-themed album similar to 2010鈥檚 鈥淭he Gift.鈥�
Boyle majestically performs a host of holiday classics such as 鈥淚鈥檒l Be Home for Christmas,鈥� 鈥淗ark! The Herald Angels Sing,鈥� 鈥淭he Christmas Song鈥� and 鈥淟ittle Drummer Boy鈥� in her new album, 鈥淗ome for Christmas.鈥�
Boyle doesn鈥檛 try to reinvent these treasured standards, she simply honors them with her stoic charm and grace. The album opens with a stirring posthumous duet with the late Elvis Presley on 鈥淥 Come, All Ye Faithful.鈥� Anytime you mix Boyle鈥檚 operatic vocals with the charisma of the King of Rock 鈥榥鈥� Roll and a charming children鈥檚 choir, you鈥檝e got something really special. As an added bonus, all royalties from the single go directly to the Save the Children charity. Boyle also pairs up with Johnny Mathis to perform an impassioned version of his 1976 cover 鈥淲hen a Child Is Born.鈥�
Additionally, the talented singer makes her acting debut in 鈥淭he Christmas Candle,鈥� based on the book by Max Lucado. The original and inspiring arrangement 鈥淢iracle Hymn鈥� is featured as part of the movie and on Boyle鈥檚 new album. Boyle鈥檚 version of 鈥淭he Lord鈥檚 Prayer鈥� is simply breathtaking as it manages to give me chills each time I hear Boyle flawlessly performing it. In a surprise selection, Boyle offers an engaging version of 鈥淚 Believe in Father Christmas.鈥�
Always one of my favorite tunes by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Boyle adds a touch of innocence to this complex song about the commercialization of Christmas. After listening to Boyle鈥檚 moving vocals, it鈥檚 easy to embrace the true beauty of the season. Christmas is about Christ, family, friends and taking the time to enjoy and share the many blessings we receive each day.
Prepare to have yourself a very special Christmas as Boyle sets a genuine holiday mood.