A First Christmas Album for Sarah Brightman

I must say it's quite exciting to hear that Sarah Brightman has released her very first Christmas Album. Although it takes it's name from her highest chart debuting album "Symphony" which was released early this year, this Holiday CD dubbed "A Winter Symphony" is not really an extension of the blockbuster former album. As with most of Sarah's previous albums, this one banks on almost-excessive productions featuring symphony orchestras, session players, and a multitude of choirs. It may seem overproduced but therein lies the charm of Brightman's albums as these productions show her originality and her virtuosity in song styling.

The album includes several season favorites like Silent Night, In the Bleak Midwinter, and Child in a Manger. Of course, there's the usual selection of Classical pieces including her third rendition of Ave Maria - this time sung with Fernando Lima (there's also a Charles Gounod Version of Ave Maria in the album); a new classical piece, Carpe Diem, is a duet with Mario Frangoulis; and there's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", a transcription by Pianist Myra Hess of the chorale that ends each part of Bach's cantata Herz und Mund Tat und Leben.

There are also a number of contemporary Pop tunes. A cover version of Abba's originally-instrumental song, Arrival, opens the album. Another cover song is "Colder than Winter", a 1984 song by Vince Gill - this might be the first cover of this song, ever (but then i might be wrong about that). There's also a slightly over-indulged reading of Neil Diamond's 1975 hit "I've Been this Way Before". I particularly like Brightman's rendition of the traditional song "Amazing Grace" - not sure if it's a Christmas song, though i think it'll pass as one.

In all it's grandeur, though, this set does not project any particular feeling, contemplative, nor inspiring. It's definitely not a jolly Christmas album, but it's not very expressive either. Still, it's a good audio experience just hearing the crystalline voice of Sarah Brightman accompanied by great production.