CD Review: Ali Matthews - Looking for Christmas
Collection of Songs Reflective of Nativity Story
Nov 19, 2008
"Looking for Christmas" is the latest Christmas songs classic CD offering of Canadian singer-songwriter Ali Matthews.
The 16-track holiday collection, a blend of traditional classic Christmas songs with new contemporary ones, covers a wide range of style from folk, jazz, bluegrass and Celtic, which offers an easy listening soundtrack for the season.
Ali Matthews' Looking for Christmas
There is no doubt that Ali Matthews is a pleasant musical personality at work. The selection sequence of her repertoire is delicately chosen. It captures the wonders and graces of the Christmas season with the warmth of her music.
From the introductory opener "Love Came Down at Christmas," the listener is immediately made to realize it's a treat from Matthews with her characteristic mellow soaring voice. Her vocals and her songwriting display mature sensitivity, and a soothing mood pervades across the tracks.
By the time the listener reaches the third track and the CD's title, "Looking for Christmas," one is now held completely captive by her presence, that certain serenity in the tone of her voice. "The Cry of Bethlehem" is beautifully performed, her voice and backup instruments bringing an emotional crescendo until it quiets down the listener's heartbeat.
Valuable inclusions are "Mary" by Patti Griffin and "Count Your Blessings," the former describing the anxieties of the expectant virgin mother bearing Christ, and the latter, a faithful thanksgiving for God's greatest gift, the Christ child.
Old-Familiar Loved Christmas Songs
Her rendition of the following old familiar loved Christmas songs:
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- The First Noel
- Silver Bells
- O Come Emmanuel / What Child is This
is characterized by an exceptionally cool tone, yet unsentimental deliveries. They would have been common pieces, but Matthews makes them fresh as ever.
Matthews's Compositions: Words and Music
Of the songs she composed and wrote, it's not easy to pin-point one particular track that is especially captivating, since, starting from "Looking for Christmas" itself and "The Cry of Bethlehem" to "There's a Star," Matthews' vocals clearly articulate their way through her sensitive yet contained emotions.
Awards and Honours
Ali Matthews has released four multi-award-winning CD’s and has gained a strong following across her native Canada and other countries. Some awards she has received in five years are: 9 GMA Covenant awards and 19 nominations.
Her songwriting has received international acclaim not only in Christian environment but in the mainstream industries.
Production and Arrangements
For production and arrangements, Ali Matthews once again teams up with multi-talented musician Rick Francis. Together, they feature Matthews' mellow soaring voice accompanied by the liquid guitar of Francis, along with various stellar instruments.
Looking for a Christmas gift? Ali Matthews, through her soothing voice and this well-crafted latest collection, puts together the sound of Christmas into a meaningful perspective. An uplifting and enjoyable repertoire.
Ali Matthews: "Looking for Christmas"
Produced and arranged by Ali Matthews and Rick Francis
© Shake-a-Paw Music
