A Christmas album
(Music on CD)

Compact disc.

Program notes and lyrics inserted in container.

Produced by Greg Nelson ; except "O holy night" produced by David Foster and "A strange way to save the world" produced by Michael Omartian.

Musicians: Vocals performed by Michael Crawford ; Additional vocals by Kelly Stewart ("Peace, peace/Silent night," "The coventry carol" and "Away in a manger"--Christmas medley) ; Ashley Melling ("While shepherds watched" and "Away in a manger"-Christmas medley) ; Patricia Cullum and Evan Broder ("Unto us a child is born"-Christmas medley) ; Choirs: New Cumberland Singers / Vocal contractors ; Additional singers ; Orchestral music: Performed by The Nashville String Machine ; Contracted by Carl and Carole Gorodetzky.

Orchestra sessions: Orchestra sessions conducted by Rob Mathes, David Hamilton and Ron Huff ; Additional musicians: Piano: David Huntsinger ; Piano, synthesizers and harp, Mary Alice Hoepfinger ; Snare, Eric Darken ; David Foster, acoustic piano.

Recorded at Ocean Way Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ; Starstruck Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ; Masterfonics Studio 6, Nashville, Tennessee ; Emerald Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ; Engineered and mixed by Bill Deaton ; Orchestra recorded by Al Schmitt ; Vocals engineered by Dave Reitzas ; Acoustic piano engineered by Dave Reitzas.

Backed by lush orchestration and a choir of quite formal carolers, Michael Crawford's A Christmas Album plays as an elegant concert rather than a random collection of seasonal ditties. An entertainment embracing the good news of Christ's birth, A Christmas Album is thankfully not something we'll hear booming all over town as we shop till we drop. Instead, this is precisely the type of recording one might enjoy at home with family while making an advent wreath or preparing holiday goodies to be shared with loved ones. Crawford's rich theatricality and classical arrangements invoke a joyful sense of spirit in readiness for the Holy babe who came to light the world. There is comfort here. Following ritual and tradition in this timeless mode of celebration, one is both warmed and delivered by the heralding tones of Crawford and his army of singing angels. --Paige La Grone.