Country: Martina McBride, "White Christmas"
Published: Sun, Nov. 25, 2007 12:00AM
Modified Tue, Nov. 27, 2007 07:13PM
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closeCOUNTRY | Martina McBride, "White Christmas" ***1/2
It's the gift that keeps on giving. Martina McBride has taken 1997's platinum-selling holiday album, recorded four new tracks and rewrapped it for 2007.
To the original 12 tracks, this year's "White Christmas" (RCA) adds "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside," a big-band duet with the late Dean Martin. McBride, 41, isn't likely to dislodge Bing Crosby or Brenda Lee from their holiday reign, but "White Christmas" has enough glistening moments to compare favorably with those singers' most popular works.
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The orchestral arrangements for such standards as "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "O Holy Night" are luxuriant and innovative, ranging from playful romps to pious contemplations.
"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" lopes along like a horse and buggy through gently falling snowflakes in New York's Central Park, while pennywhistles and harps lend a Celtic flavor to "Away in a Manger" and "What Child is This." "Silver Bells" and "Winter Wonderland" are playfully animated with joy and childlike anticipation.
Classic yet contemporary, "White Christmas" makes a delightful soundtrack for the holidays.
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