Winter Wonderland

by Point of Grace

Overview

Christmas is about the only time of year Christian music artists -- at least those who sing exclusively for believers -- can get away with recording secular music. For the most part, the content of their selections is innocuous -- standards, love songs, a few songs about Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty -- but it's curious how comfortably the material cohabitates with more sacred, solemn fare about Christ's first advent. Such is the case with Point of Grace's Winter Wonderland, the foursome's second seasonal album since 1999's gold-selling A Christmas Story. Like that album, the project is basically split right down the middle between carols and American classics, but, once again, everything is performed and produced so majestically, so gloriously, it's easy for one to forget about the subject matter and revel in the sweeping arrangements, the lush orchestrations, and the absorbing holiday ambience created by the ladies and their producer -- in this case, the always reliable Brown Bannister. If played continuously, it's almost as if both albums came from the same sessions -- a testament to the timeless, classic feel of the seasonal fare included here. When guided by the right vocal coach, Point of Grace can also turn in some truly breathtaking four-part harmonies, as in the all a cappella "In the First Light" and the sprawling, Macy's-friendly "Santa Medley." Deep down, though, Point of Grace are a Christian pop group at heart and, reasonably, the quartet covers Christmas stuff once recorded by CCM colleagues Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, two acts the singers have toured with during holiday seasons past. No matter the provenance of the tunes, Winter Wonderland is Christmas music of the highest order, whether you need a soundtrack for reflection, last-minute shopping, or both. ~ Andree Farias

Product Details

Release Date:	10/04/2005
Label:	Word Distribution
UPC:	0080688641320

Tracks

1. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Let There Be Light
4. Jingle Bells
5. Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)
6. In the First Light
7. Santa Medley: Here Comes Santa Claus/Frosty the Snowman/Rudolph the Red
8. Little Town
9. For Unto Us
10. All Is Well

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Point of Grace   Primary Artist
John David Webster   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guest Artist
Philadelphia Boys Choir   Ensemble
Carl Marsh   Keyboards,Conductor
London Session Orchestra   Ensemble,Orchestra
Michael Smith   Featured Artist
Jerry Kimbrough   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Blair Masters   Keyboards
Dan Needham   Drums
Paul Leim   Drums
Shane Keister   Piano
Tom Bukovac   Guitar (Electric)
David Hungate   Bass,Guitar
Mark Douthit   Saxophone
Sam Levine   Flute
George Cocchini   Guitar (Electric)
Lee Levine   Clarinet,Clarinet (Bass)
Eric Darken   Percussion
Mike Haynes   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Carl Marsh   Arranger,Choir Arrangement,Vocal Arrangement,Orchestral Arrangements
Steve Bishir   Audio Engineer,Engineer,Mixing
Brown Bannister   Audio Production,Producer
Tim Davis   Vocal Arrangement,Vocal Producer
Michael Blanton   Executive Producer
Chris Eaton   Arranger,Composer
Michael Mellett   Vocal Arrangement
Jack Rollins   Composer
Gene Autry   Composer
Ted Jensen   Mastering
Amy Grant   Composer
Edward Pola   Composer
Wayne Kirkpatrick   Composer
Scott Krippayne   Composer
Michael W. Smith   Composer
George Wyle   Composer
Andrew Dudman   Assistant Engineer
Mike Casteel   Music Preparation
Felix Bernard   Composer
George Frederick Handel   Composer
Oakley Haldeman   Composer
Lori Casteel   Music Preparation
Eberhard Ramm   Music Preparation
Katherine Petillo   Art Direction
Aaron Rapoport   Photography
Traci Sterling Bishir   Production Coordination
Steve Nelson   Composer
David Kaufman   Wardrobe
Marie Reynolds   Composer
Burton Brooks   A&R
Aaron Sternke   Digital Editing
Stephen Lamb   Music Preparation