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Music review: Susan Boyle – ‘Home for Christmas’

By Clint Rhodes for The 2 min read
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After quickly recovering from a state of turkey overload from shamefully consuming substantial amounts of delectable foods prepared for a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner, itĢƵ now the perfect time to solely focus on Christmas.

I’ve confessed before to being a Christmas music junkie, collecting nearly 150 Christmas albums over the last 20 years.

Each year, I still get excited to discover new seasonal releases to add to my collection.

Susan Boyle tops this yearĢƵ selections as the Scottish singer releases her second holiday-themed album similar to 2010ĢƵ “The Gift.”

Boyle majestically performs a host of holiday classics such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “The Christmas Song” and “Little Drummer Boy” in her new album, “Home for Christmas.”

Boyle doesn’t try to reinvent these treasured standards, she simply honors them with her stoic charm and grace. The album opens with a stirring posthumous duet with the late Elvis Presley on “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Anytime you mix BoyleĢƵ operatic vocals with the charisma of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and a charming childrenĢƵ choir, you’ve got something really special. As an added bonus, all royalties from the single go directly to the Save the Children charity. Boyle also pairs up with Johnny Mathis to perform an impassioned version of his 1976 cover “When a Child Is Born.”

Additionally, the talented singer makes her acting debut in “The Christmas Candle,” based on the book by Max Lucado. The original and inspiring arrangement “Miracle Hymn” is featured as part of the movie and on BoyleĢƵ new album. BoyleĢƵ version of “The LordĢƵ Prayer” is simply breathtaking as it manages to give me chills each time I hear Boyle flawlessly performing it. In a surprise selection, Boyle offers an engaging version of “I Believe in Father Christmas.”

Always one of my favorite tunes by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Boyle adds a touch of innocence to this complex song about the commercialization of Christmas. After listening to BoyleĢƵ moving vocals, itĢƵ easy to embrace the true beauty of the season. Christmas is about Christ, family, friends and taking the time to enjoy and share the many blessings we receive each day.

Prepare to have yourself a very special Christmas as Boyle sets a genuine holiday mood.

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