Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When Cross Rhythms reviewed the 2017 version of this album, our reviewer commented how much he enjoyed Lauren's jazzed-up version of "Jingle Bells" while her husky contralto worked well on carol evergreens like "O Come All Ye Faithful" and her version of "Silent Night". Now that Lauren has ascended to the position of CCM's best loved female singer, it's hardly surprising her record company have put a Deluxe Edition out to catch the 2018 Christmas sales. And such is that delicious voice that her run-throughs of "Away In A Manger" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" are worth a listen. The same, though, can't be said of her cornball stab at "Winter Wonderland". No doubt there'll be more Christmas albums in the years ahead. Here's hoping that, in future, she avoids the predictable mainstream stuff.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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