Reviewed by Dave Brassington

Every so often a reviewer has to sound a bit harsh about an album by folk that he actually likes. I have nothing but the highest regard for the ministry of John Hagee, but I am wondering if this seven track CD of Christmas material was actually intended for public release or whether it was in fact some 'in house' effort really only intended for the increasingly large Hagee family. Otherwise I can't think anybody would buy an album of seven Christmas tracks such as the opener "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "Blue Christmas", "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", "Silent Night", etc which have been by now almost 'done to death' with literally hundreds of recordings. The various female Hagees singing (I can give you no further information) are pleasant enough but John Hagee's rendition of "O Holy Night" is painful as his voice is thin, not surprising as he is well into his 70s. This is all the more disappointing as on an album he did only a few years ago, his voice sounded much better. Not recommended unless you are a diehard Hagee family devotee.

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