The Christmas Shoes Album by Newsong (CD, Sep-2003, Benson Records)

If you pride yourself of the depth and breadth of you Christmas music collection (like you've got Lanza, Roger Wagner, Robert Shaw, the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble, Yogi Yorgesson, and Andreas Bocelli) and you do NOT have this album, then there is a moderate hole in the completeness of your collection. Get this album!! I was somewhat turned-off by it's being "Christian Music", but when I heard it, with the superb engineering, I had to immediately re-adjust my prejudices to match reality. This album is very, very good, without being preachy at all. Yeah, the title song is a little bit of a tear-jerker; Great! So is Skip Ewing's "Christmas Carol". The technical competence of the group and the recording engineers and producer who assembled the CD leave nothing to ask for. The program is good, the title cut is tremendous, any time of year, and it is a must for people, (like myself...ouch!) who are, shall we say, a bit PRETENTIOUS about how complete their Christmas music collection is. Not all good seasonal music was recorded in the past. This album is audible proof that the younger generation has something to offer as well. Give it a try. You will enjoy it, even if you ARE the great-great-great-great-grandson/daughter of Ebenezer Scrooge himself!! Neil Wiswell.