| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
What a Wonderful Beginning | Kathy Mattea | 3:51 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
There's a New Kid in Town | Kathy Mattea | 4:06 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Brightest and Best (Star of the East) | Kathy Mattea | 3:34 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Mary, Did You Know? | Kathy Mattea | 3:14 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
The Star | Kathy Mattea | 3:53 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Emmanuel | Kathy Mattea | 2:57 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Somebody Talkin' About Jesus | Kathy Mattea | 2:25 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Nothing but a Child | Kathy Mattea | 4:09 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Christ Child's Lullabye | Kathy Mattea | 4:29 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Good News | Kathy Mattea | 5:38 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 10 Songs |
Album Review
Kathy Mattea's album for the Christmas season is unlike any country Christmas record ever released. For starters, she and producer Brent Maher commissioned original songs rather than taking them from the canon, or adapted obscure songs from the ages. Secondly, the band was formed around what served each song to make it feel as organic as possible. Strange instruments appear, such as the marimbas on "New Kid in Town," recorders and a high string guitar and recorders on "Christ Child Lullaby" (courtesy of Dougie MacLean and Jim Horn), and a full choir on the closing title track. This doesn't feel like any Christmas record you've ever heard before, either. It sounds like a well-crafted, gorgeously wrought folk/country/Celtic-flavored Kathy Mattea record. Give a listen to any of the above, or especially the haunted traditional song "Brightest and Best," completely reworked by Mattea and Maher. The guitars caress the open space between themselves and Mattea's voice, as the pipes and recorders float within. Likewise, listen to "Mary Did You Know," which is one of the most stunningly beautiful Christian folk songs written in decades (by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene). But then, while songs can be many things, they cannot be given life without a singer, and on Good News, in Mattea's instrument, the grains of truth add up to something incalculable: high art.
Customer Reviews
Unique and reverent
I am a Christmas music fanatic. I was so tired of the same warmed over classics, but I don't care for most pop Christmas music. I have never purchased a country album in my life, but I read a sparkling review of this recording in my local newspaper (written by one of those critics that seem to hate just about everything), and I thought I would give this album a try. The songs are a mix of new material and very old songs, but they are all done with a fullness and reverence that blew me away. Nothing is over produced or over orchestrated and Mattea does the best cover of "Mary, Did you know" that I have ever heard. If you're looking for something different, yet still reverent, give this album a try. It's no surprise to me that it won a Grammy award.
What Can You Say?
I've loved this album for years. Unlike many Christmas albums that get churned out by various artists and labels, this one remains vibrant and relevant almost 14 years since it's release. I can't imagine that will change in another 14 or 114 years. Personal favorites are The Star and Nothing But A Child, but I know folks who are equally passionate about other tracks. If you care at all about the sprititual aspects of the Christmas season, you cannot go wrong with this collection. Beautifully arranged, and perfectly sung, this is a classic that will stay in your rotation for years to come. Enjoy!
Now This Is....
What I Call Christmas! This wonderful album really brings into light what Christmas is truly about. I have had this album for many years and can't wait to listen to it every Christmas. It is a wonderful, spiritual album that warms my heart every Christmas season. My personal favorites are "Mary, Did You Know?" and "The Star". I highly recommend adding this beautiful CD to your Christmas collection.
Biography
Born: June 21, 1959 in Cross Lane, WV
Genre: Country
Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s
Top Albums and Songs By Kathy Mattea
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses | Kathy Mattea: A Collection of Hits | 3:22 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Where've You Been | Kathy Mattea: A Collection of Hits | 3:44 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Mary, Did You Know? | Good News | 3:14 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
455 Rocket | The Definitive Collection | 4:07 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Love at the Five and Dime | Kathy Mattea: A Collection of Hits | 3:40 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses | Untasted Honey | 3:23 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Where've You Been | The Definitive Collection | 3:43 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses | The Definitive Collection | 3:19 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Walking Away a Winner | Walking Away a Winner | 3:29 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
The Battle Hymn of Love | Kathy Mattea: A Collection of Hits | 2:53 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
- $8.99
- Genres: Country, Music, Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Honky Tonk, Contemporary Country, Contemporary Bluegrass
- Released: Oct 05, 1993
- ℗ 1993 Mercury Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
