Search - Amy Grant :: 20th Century Masters: The Best of Amy Grant - The Christmas Collection

"This Is My Grown-Up Christmas List"

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 11/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The message of Christmas is timeless ... a message of hope to a world in need of peace ... sung through the ages from countless hearts ... young and old ... in songs remembered and songs forgotten." ~ Amy Grant ~



Amy Grant has been in my list of favorite singers of all-time since the early '90s when one of my best friends, who is a singer, introduced her inspirational music to me.



This Christmas CD, "The Best of Amy Grant: The Christmas Collection" is one that I love to listen to for Christmas holidays this year. I've been listening to it for a week now and been enjoying every minute of it. It's always nice to listen to a beautiful voice with the backing of an orchestra and a chorus. This collection is a mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs that will surely add a sentimental feeling to your Christmas spirit.



With the support of the London Studio Orchestra under the sublime orchestration of Ron Huff, Amy Grant, with her great vocal artistry and heartfelt renditions, gives her very best to offer the listeners a remarkable listening experience this special time of the year starting off with a favorite of mine, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" down to the beautiful finale, the only non-vocal track with a derivative melody by Carl Marsh, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," my all-time classical favorite composed by Johann Sebastian Bach from Baroque Era. It features Tom Hemby with his exceptional guitar playing, Mark O'Connor with his mastery in violin, and the tasteful keyboard playing of Carl Marsh who also orchestrated the London Studio Orchestra. Ms. Grant has this to say about this masterpiece and I quote:



"The voice of the soul can never be fully captured in words. Thank you Tom, Mark and Carl for playing the yearnings of my heart."



Special mention to me is another favorite song that brings tears to my sentimental eyes particularly the chorus, "My Grown-Up Christmas List," a meaningful song with exquisite music composed by David Foster and intelligent lyric penned by Linda Thompson Jenner. Listen closely to its wonderful arrangement and orchestration by Allan Moore and the heartfelt delivery of Amy Grant with Robbie Buchanan on keyboards and Tom Hemby on guitar.



Do you remember me?

I sat upon your knee

I wrote to you with childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown-up now

And still need help somehow



I'm not a child but my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish

My grown-up Christmas list

Not for myself, but for a world in need



Chorus:

No more lives torn apart

And wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list



As children we believed the grandest sight to see

Was something lovely wrapped beneath our tree

Well, heaven surely knows that packages and bows

Can never heal a hurting human soul



Bridge:

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?

Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth.



This is one of the best Christmas CDs ever produced and a welcome addition to your Christmas collection. I merrily recommend it.



May the true spirit of Christmas dwell in your hearts not only this Yuletide Season, but also all year long, year after year, forever and a day."