Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Dave Barnes, Very Merry Christmas
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Dave Barnes
Very Merry Christmas



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 35 minutes, 24 seconds
Street Date: November 9, 2010


Christmas albums by rising stars have a wide field of potential, either to become forever-endearing classics to be played for years to come, or come off as recyclable, poorly-conceived projects that exist only to make a quick buck. Instead of opting for the latter, Tennessee's Dave Barnes makes a considerable attempt with his hat in the ring; with last spring's What We Want, What We Get showcasing his array of polished, southern-style talent, the singer/songwriter returns this November with the lighthearted, but charming, Very Merry Christmas.

Considering the style Barnes is going for, the classic Christmas favorites Barnes chooses to cover fit the bill spot on. The Mariah Carey classic "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" both get a southern spin that doesn't offer too many surprises in their execution but are nonetheless done well. "Family Tree" connects the cold weather to family gatherings, and "The Christmas Song," made famous by Nat King Cole, gets a respectable rendition. Even though none of the covers here are particularly profound, they fit the album's overall feel quite well.

What Barnes majors most on Very Merry Christmas, however, are the songs penned by Barnes himself. The opening title track sets the mood for the rest of the album with soft bluesy beats and sparingly placed guitar strums. Lyrically, it's a simple reminiscing about holiday traditions and fun times with family and friends that's hard not to appreciate. "Christmas Tonight" follows Barnes and guest vocalist Hillary Scott (of Lady Antebellum fame) conferring on whether to go out for Christmas festivities or stay inside where it's warm; the duet works well with the song's theme, complementing the Christmas cheer found in the track's composition. It does feel a little too similar to the popular holiday song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in its premise with its back-and-forth bits between Barnes and Scott, but the track still stands out in the pack as a clever original.

Christmastime romance finds its way into "Meet Me At the Mistletoe," but with lyric choices that feel a tad hackneyed ("the mistletoe is looking so good tonight/let's rendezvous and sneak a kiss, the time is right"), the whole track borders on trite. "I Pray On Christmas" brings a purely-gospel twang to the table with handclap beats and a background choir, and the ballad "Holiday Made For Two" longs for another's love during the yuletide season. The most spiritual track on the album, however, is found in the closing acoustic number "Mary and Joseph;" the track describes the story of the nativity while giving Mary and Joseph a quality of humanness, and it eventually leads into Jesus' death on the cross. Connecting the coming of Jesus to why He indeed came, the album is ended on more than an appropriate and worshipful note.

Very Merry Christmas is so distinctly a Dave Barnes project that there are very few real surprises flung toward the listener familiar with his previous work. Also, there's very little presented here that delves too deep into the sacredness of the holiday, but instead of missing the mark, most of the songs here succeed as fun tributes to Christmas and its celebratory nature, and they fit Barnes' musical charisma like a glove. With both southern hospitality and Christmas cheer in tow, Very Merry Christmas is a fine Christmas journey to warm up to this season.

- Review date: 11/7/10, written by Roger Gelwicks of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: Razor & Tie
. Album length: 10 tracks: 35 minutes, 24 seconds
. Street Date: November 9, 2010
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Very Merry Christmas (3:50)
  2. Christmas Tonight (With Hillary Scott) (3:19)
  3. All I Want For Christmas Is You (3:56)
  4. Meet Me At The Mistletoe (2:44)
  5. I'll Be Home For Christmas (3:03)
  6. I Pray On Christmas (3:10)
  7. Family Tree (3:57)
  8. Holiday Made For Two (3:54)
  9. The Christmas Song (3:37)
  10. Mary And Joseph (3:59)
  11. O Come Emmanuel (iTunes bonus)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images