CD Reviews

Dec

2008

Mercy’s Well - December: Hymns Where the Story Began, Chapter 2

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RATING:

Producer: Donna Beauvais
Label: Independent
Website: http://www.mercyswell.com

In 2006, Mercy's Well released one of the most talked about recordings of the year. Their Hymns: Stories For Life...Stories That Live was a fantastic look into the group with beautiful arrangements of hymns and intricate vocal arrangements with a piano only accompaniment. The sole original song from the album - Chris Binion's "Nothing But the Blood (Still Saves the Lost)" - was a hit for the group and helped open doors for them in the industry.

The group followed up that album with the regular studio recording Skywriting last year. The group is now releasing their first Christmas recording with December: Hymns Where the Story Began, Chapter 2. December follows the same pattern as the first hymns project. The group is again at a piano-only sound on this recording - except they've thrown a cello in for some songs as well for effect (as well as percussion on "Little Drummer Boy" for obvious reasons).

Fans of the last album, as well as a stripped down approach to Christmas music, will love December. Much of the success of this series has to be given to producer Donna Beauvais. Her ear for vocal arrangements is top-notch - and she shines just as bright with these arrangements.

Most of the usual suspects are here in terms of Christmas hymns - such as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "Go Tell It On the Mountain", "Joy to the World", "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", and "O Holy Night" all make appearances. However, the group chose some unusual choices as well, such as "Who Is He In Yonder Stall", "O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" and "Hallelujah Chorus" (particularly in this type of setting).

The harmonies are extremely tight, and the vocals are crisp and clear on these songs. December does a fantastic job of showcasing the vocals and lyrics of some of Christmas music's most beloved songs. The inclusion of the Michael W. Smith now-classic "All Is Well" along with "O Holy Night" and playful version of "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee/Joy to the World" show why these albums work so well.

It's the kind of thinking outside of the box that these albums have displayed that will be what helps Southern Gospel thrive in the next decade. Mercy's Well and Donna Beauvais should be applauded for the work they've done on this series of albums.

Kudos to you for another fantastic recording.

Song List:

1: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
2: Good Christian Men Rejoice/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3: Who Is He In Yonder Stall?
4: Go Tell It On The Mountain
5: The Birthday Of The King
6: The Little Drummer Boy
7: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee/Joy To The World
8: Some Children See Him
9: Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
10: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Hallelujah Chorus
11: Oh Holy Night/All Is Well

Reader Comments

Great job, guys and Donna!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ** On 12/14/2008

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Mercy’s Well - December: Hymns Where the Story Began, Chapter 2
Written: 12/02/2008
Author: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)