Christmas Music Review: Jordan Smith: "'Tis the Season"

To me Jordan Smith is a new singer.  However he is also a very beautiful singer.  His "O Holy Night" is fantastic.  He sings this song with the Mormon tabernacle Choir.  It comes off beautifully.  I prefer the spiritual Christmas songs to the secular, and this set has both, but leans to the spiritual.  In addition to "O Holy Night" there is "Grown-up Christmas List,"  "What Child is This,""Silent Night" and "Ave Maria."  His "Ave Maria" is spectacular, and very moving.  On the secular side, he records, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."  I thought I would not enjoy a tenor related song, as this is noted for being a bass type of song.  He did sing this as a high tenor, but does an admirable job.  "The Christmas Song" is just lovely; as is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."  The Bass playing with "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" has to be recommended.  He really makes this piece move.  The Bass starts the number, and just keeps going.  More instruments join, but the steady bass is mesmerizing.

Music Review: Christmas Under the Stars, Amy Grant and Michael W Smith with Jordan Smith

Amy Grant and Michael Smith are very professional, and have a lot of Christmas songs under the belts, but the high light of this concert is being able to hear Jordan Smith, winner of The Voice.  The BYU Chamber Orchestra joins them.  This presentation is currently available at BYUTV.ORG  Amy Grant's version of Jingle Bells is unique with her changing of tempos.  It made it fun.  She and Jordan Smith sing "Grown-up Christmas List" beautifully.  Josh Smith has a soprano voice higher than that of Amy grant it seems, and he uses his voice to good effect.  The trio does an excellent job with "Silent Night."  They go back and forth between a more relaxed setting, in a home setting, and in front of an audience.  Amy Grant also sings "Breath of Heaven" taking on the roll of Mary to good effect.  Michael Smith sings a medley of familiar songs, with a more rock feel.   He calls it "Gloria."  He sings what I have in my heart at this time of year.  Jordan Smith sings "Oh Holy Night" beautifully, hitting all the soprano notes.  They sing together a song "All is Well" which is very fitting, as it describes the peace that can be found at Christmas.