Trisha Yearwood Album: “The Sweetest Gift”

Trisha Yearwood's "The Sweetest Gift" is indeed a sweet gift to the listener. Her gorgeously smooth and elastic voice is complemented by powerful interpretive gifts, and she puts both to use on this album. The album opens with "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," a 1934 tune that evokes the unknowableness of God--it's a treasure. The very next selection--"Reindeer Boogie" by the great Ernest Tubb--crashes headlong into some finger-poppin' good boogie music. It's a treat!

"Take A Walk Through Bethlehem" is a contemporary tune that quietly asserts the strength of religious feeling in the sometimes-too-commercial Christmas season. It has a subtle gospel feel to it that's completely apt for the song. The Leiber and Stoller classic "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" is a riot--it has the propulsive rhythm and sexy delivery of a striptease, complemented by the subtle innuendos in the lyrics. It's a hoot, and a terrific song to boot.

"Away In A Manger" is quiet and sweet and calm--just as it should be. On "The Sweetest Gift"--a splendid 1942 song about a mother going to see her jailed son--Yearwood is backed by her sister, Beth Yearwood Bernard, and it's almost eerie how much they sound alike. What a great idea to use her sister on a song the two grew up singing together! All around a great album--give it a listen!

Trisha is a lady who has it all - the voice, the looks, the personality and the brains. Trisha used her considerable intelligence and knowledge of music to select an outstanding selection of songs, covering every base - old carols (Away in a manger), classic wintry Chrismas songs (Let it snow!, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire), obscure gems (Hank Snow's Reindeer boogie, suitably updated), a blues number (Santa Claus is back in town, originally written for Elvis), a country classic (The sweetest gift), a song rapidly becoming a country Christmas classic (There's a new kid in town) and a great new song (Take a walk through Bethlehem). The other two songs, Sweet little Jesus boy and It wasn't his child, are also excellent choices by Trisha.

Having used her brains to come up with such a well-balanced set of songs, Trisha used her lovely voice to deliver them impeccably. While Trisha's roots are in country music, her voice should appeal far beyond that base. Trisha has a warm, soothing style, yet she can rock where appropriate.

If you can give it dedicated attention, there is much to discover, but we all know that Christmas is not like that for most people. Don't worry - this album also works well as background music.

This is one of the best (of many) Christmas albums I've come across - at it's Amazon.com price, this must be one of the best Christmas bargains of all time. I originally paid full price and considered it money well spent. You can buy it for less than seven dollars.

Sweet voice of Trisha Yearwood. "It Wasn't His Child" really is a fabulous cut. The CD is worth it for that song alone but there are other good tracks.

This would be an excellent addition to anyone's collection of Christmas music. I recently purchased this CD and I loved every moment of it. My favorite song, albeit a traditional favorite, is "The Christmas Song." Trisha's voice, as always, is powerful, beautiful and amazing. This is a must-have CD for any country fan!

I liked the song and the music but it did not lend itself to what I was using a song for. Like to listen to it but probably would not sing it, especially for Christmas.