Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 09/22/1992
Run Time: 44:58
While
Neil Diamond's
The Christmas Album is designed almost exclusively for his
adult contemporary constituency, the vocalist still manages to light up most of the obviousness of these standards with his trademark gritty
soul and flair for inflection. Opening with the grandeur of
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel/We Three Kings of Orient Are" and
"Silent Night," the album is awash in rich reds and golds almost immediately. But
Diamond has fun with
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," loosening up with a harmonica solo and a busy, up-tempo arrangement, and
"Jingle Bell Rock" does just that with a 1950s
doo wop vibe. These moves count as big risks on an album that otherwise tries on every possible
Christmas album cliché: children's choirs and histrionic adult ones, crashing cymbals, and tasteful piano that's as warm as a fireplace in December. Thankfully, even when the choirs threaten to outdo him,
Diamond keeps the focus on his famous singing voice. A stirring a capella version of
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is a good example of this, and one of
The Christmas Album's standouts.
~Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
;)
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