Home for Christmas
Amy Grant'sHome for Christmasshowcases her mellifluent vocal chops in a variety of settings and succeeds mightily. There's a sophisticated touch ofStreisandin Grant's clear and bright timbre, but there's also a young tenderness and innocence there, as well, that captures peoples' hearts. Grant puts a batch of standards, more recent works byCarly Simonand David Foster, and her own songs through big but tasty orchestral swells, rock & roll reveries, acoustic pieces, and mild pop surroundings. Most surprising are Grant's two contributions (cowritten with Chris Eaton and Robert Marshal, respectively,) "Breath of Heaven/Mary's Song" and the powerful and humbling "Emmanuel, God with Us." Exquisitely produced and arranged,Home for Christmasis a highly rewarding mainstream Christmas masterpiece without flaw or pretense.--Martin Keller