Disco de Deana Carter: “Father Christmas”

There are two albums that I pull out to play during the holiday season. The first is Billboard's Top 10 Christmas Hits, the second is Johnny Mathis's MERRY CHRISTMAS. For the first time since I started playing Christmas music, that number will increase to three. There is no doubt that FATHER CHRISTMAS will be a favorite of mine for years to come.

Deana Carter's first album on her newly formed independent label, recorded with father Fred Carter as her only accompanist, is an acoustical gem that brings home the true meaning of the holidays. Comprised of eight Christmas standards and two more recently written songs, I can't think of a track on this album that is worth skipping. This seems to be more of a folk album than anything else--the modern country style seen on Deana's past two releases is virtually absent from the low-key environment on this record. But this doesn't take away from the music at all; indeed, it seems to make Deana sound better than ever. I especially like her upbeat, somewhat Latin styled take on "Winter Wonderland!" Although as the Amazon reviewer put it, this album isn't as exciting as a collection of new Deana songs would have been, it is still terrific and is what I believe to be a great mark of a bright future for one of country's greatest voices.

A gentle, understated holiday gem, just perfect for listening to while sitting quitely by the fire and looking at the lights on the Christmas tree.

Recorded with her father providing sole accompaniment on guitar, this album dodges the prefab, overproduced sound of many holiday releases and instead gives the listener an intimate and heartfelt vibe.

Deana's "Silent Night," for instance, will move even the most hardened atheist, and brings up memories of homespun church services. "Winter Wonderland," on the other hand, is quick-paced and playful; I can imagine Deana and her dad smiling and joking with one another while recording it. (At one point he slows the tempo to a stop, and she lets out a scolding "DAD!")

My favorite cut, "Merry Christmas Darling," has emotion that Karen Carpenter never quite got, a wistful, heartbroken yearning, giving the impression that her love's not only far away, but in someone else's arms as well.

I wish there were more one voice/one instrument CDs like this...but the lack makes me treasure Deana's album all the more.

A remarkably understated acoustic Christmas album... Usually when Top 40 country stars do a holiday record, they tend to blast away at the songs -- I guess it's a chance for them to wail away on a different type of material? -- but Carter prefers to croon, and the results are low-key and kind of nice. Backing her up on acoustic guitar is her father, '50s session picker, Fred Carter... as an interesting family-oriented bonus, the disc also includes an interview she conducted (as a little kid) about his old days in Nashville. Worth checking out, if you're in a holiday mood.

Deana Carter's 2001 Christmas CD "Father Christmas" is a very satisfying set. The stark guitar and voice arrangement brings out both the lovely melodies, Carter's excellent vocals, and creates an intimate feeling of celebration. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is filled with longing to be with family. Mel Torme's classic "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" is done with expressive vocals and lots of feeling. Richard Carpenter's "Merry Christmas Darling" is one of the more creative choices for the set, a lovely romantic holiday song. "Johnny's Snowman" was penned by Deanna's dad and is a track you won't find elsewhere (as far as I can tell). "Winter Wonderland" is great fun as Deana chases her dad's agile guitar. "White Christmas" & "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" conclude the set. The childhood Christmas interview is very sweet, but could have been kept in the home vaults. This is an excellent Christmas recording. Enjoy!

This album made my eyes water with memories of life, holidays, love and peace. Deana's more mature sound, heart and soul are woven throughout the lyrics. Tops to the collaboration with her Father. Worth the purchase and worth a listen.