Vocal trio Selah -- siblings Todd and Nicol Smith and friend Allan
Hall -- bring their signature dulcet tones to the Christmas genre
with this lovely and lyrical holiday release. The trio has made its
name (and earned three Dove awards) for breathing fresh life into
traditional hymns, and Rose of Bethlehem continues in that tradition. This project is a mix of timeless carols ("Silent
Night," "O Holy Night," "O Come O Come Emmanuel"), the Smiths' own
original compositions ("Noel," "Joy" and "Mystery"), and contemporary
songs (such as
the lovely title track). The Smiths and Hall are all distinctive
vocalists, but their voices blend beautifully, and the production is
perfectly balanced to allow the gorgeous Selah vocal mix to shine. A
variety of moods are created here, from the reverence of the
traditional pieces to the summer camp sing-along cheer of "Light of
the Stable" and the world-beat rhythms of Todd Smith's "Noel," sung
in the African language of Kituba. A collection this special doesn't
need any added incentives to give it a listen, but here's one anyway:
Dolly Parton joins in on a chorus of her own "Once Upon a Christmas,"
making Rose of Bethlehem a delight for Christmases present and
future.
![Title: Greatest Hits [Curb]](https://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0715187775725_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg)
![Title: Greatest Hits [Curb]](https://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0715187730526_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg)
![Title: Home for Christmas [Curb]](https://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0715187875425_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg)