It's a Wonderful Christmas
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| It's a Wonderful Christmas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 16, 2007 | |||
| Genre | Christmas, pop, instrumental | |||
| Length | 39:46 | |||
| Label | Reunion/Sparrow | |||
| Producer | Michael W. Smith, David Hamilton | |||
| Michael W. Smith chronology | ||||
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| Singles from It's a Wonderful Christmas | ||||
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It's a Wonderful Christmas is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. Released in October 2007, this epic album is Smith's third album of Christmas music and features four choirs and a 65-piece orchestra.[1] About half the album is instrumental pieces, including "What Child is This", "Audrey's Gift", and "It's a Wonderful Christmas". Vocal numbers such as "The Promise" and "Christmas Angels" reflect Smith's trademark personal touch and evoke his previous Christmas albums, Christmas (1989) and Christmastime (1998). Smith utilizes the full sound of the orchestra and choirs to produce an album that exudes a "mastery of the adult contemporary sound" and adds "so richly to the Christmas songbook."[1]
All tracks are written by Michael W. Smith, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Christmas Angels" | 3:50 | |
| 2. | "It's a Wonderful Christmas" | Michael W. Smith, David Hamilton | 5:05 |
| 3. | "The Promise" | 5:05 | |
| 4. | "Song for the King" | 4:19 | |
| 5. | "Christmas Day" (featuring Mandisa) | 3:20 | |
| 6. | "A Highland Carol" | 2:18 | |
| 7. | "Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah" | 3:40 | |
| 8. | "What Child Is This?" | Traditional | 4:48 |
| 9. | "Son of God" | 2:53 | |
| 10. | "Audrey’s Gift" | 1:49 | |
| 11. | "All Year Long" | 2:39 | |
| Total length: | 39:46 | ||
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| About |   [2] |
| AllMusic | [1] |
| Billboard | Mixed[3] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [4] |
It's a Wonderful Christmas sold 12,759 copies in its first week, 6,000 of them digital. The album has since sold 39,000 copies.[5]
The album received several positive reviews. However, Billboard gave the album a mixed review.
In 2008, the album won a Dove Award for Christmas Album of the Year at the 39th GMA Dove Awards.[6]
Personnel
- Michael W. Smith – vocals (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), grand piano (1–5, 8, 9, 10), arrangements
- David Hamilton – orchestra conductor (1–9, 11), orchestra arrangements (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11), choir arrangements (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), synthesizer (1, 5), Hammond B3 organ (5), celeste (5), grand piano (11), rhythm track arrangements (11)
- Adam Lester – electric guitars (1, 5)
- James Gregory – bass (1, 5)
- Craig Nelson – upright bass (11)
- Paul Leim – drums (1, 5, 11)
- Sam Bacco – Scottish snare drum (6), bass drum (6)
- David Davidson – violin solo (4)
- Skip Cleavinger – Highland bagpipes (6), penny whistle (6), low whistle (8)
- Carl Marsh – orchestra arrangements (1, 5)
- Ronn Huff – orchestra arrangements (6)
- The London Session Orchestra – orchestra (1–9, 11)
- Perry Montague-Mason – concertmaster
- Isobel Griffiths – orchestra contractor
- Charlotte Matthews – orchestra contractor
- Lori Casteel – music preparation
- Mike Casteel – music preparation
- Ric Domenico – music preparation
- Eberhard Ramm – music preparation
- The Nashville Choir – choir (1, 3, 7, 9)
- John Coates – The Nashville Choir director (1, 3, 7, 9)
- Children's Choir – children choir (1, 5)
- Sandy Hamilton – Children's Choir director (1, 5)
- Kathy Goodrich – Children's Choir assistant director (1, 5)
- Marie Morris – Children's Choir assistant director (1, 5)
- New Cumberland Choir – choir (3, 7, 9)
- Greg Thomas – New Cumberland Choir contractor (3, 7, 9)
- The Choristers of Reigate St. Mary's – boychoir (3, 9)
- John Tobin – Reigate St. Mary's choir master (3, 9)
- Mandisa – vocals (5)
- Bonnie Keen – backing vocals (11)
