| Michael W. Smith - It's a Wonderful Christmas Tour (2007) |
| Written by Pat | |||
| Tuesday, 11 March 2008 18:01 | |||
 First, let me say that I am not a big fan of Christmas music. At least not in recent years, when malls and local radio stations started playing it non-stop from October through December. However, I do love all three of Michael W. Smith's Christmas albums. I think this is because the songs are primarily written by Michael W. Smith and are not the rehashed Christmas classics heard everywhere. When I saw that the "It's a Wonderful Christmas" tour was landing in Los Angeles, I decided to treat my husband and myself to an early Christmas gift. I am so glad I did! First, let me say that I am not a big fan of Christmas music. At least not in recent years, when malls and local radio stations started playing it non-stop from October through December. However, I do love all three of Michael W. Smith's Christmas albums. I think this is because the songs are primarily written by Michael W. Smith and are not the rehashed Christmas classics heard everywhere. When I saw that the "It's a Wonderful Christmas" tour was landing in Los Angeles, I decided to treat my husband and myself to an early Christmas gift. I am so glad I did! The concert took place at the brand new NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE, in downtown Los Angeles. The stage setting was simple, yet pretty with a couple of Christmas trees and seats for the 65-piece orchestra, led by David Hamilton. Hamilton produced and arranged Michael's newly released It's a Wonderful Christmas album. The orchestra started things off with "Spirit of the Season" (from Polar Express) and the more traditional "Dance of the Tumblers" (from The Snow Maiden) before Michael made his way to the stage and joined them for "Christmas Angels", one of many songs from the new album performed that evening. He talked about it being a big year in his life, having recently celebrated his parent's 50th anniversary, welcoming his first grandchild into this world, celebrating his own milestone birthday and walking his daughter down the aisle. He recalled old times, listening to now classic Christmas songs on "LP" as the Katinas joined him on stage for a jazzy rendition of "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells", as good or better than the 1963 hit by Andy Williams. Michael slowed down the pace a bit with a soulful piano solo entitled, "The Giving" from his instrumental album, Freedom. Melinda Doolittle, of "American Idol" fame joined Michael for "Christmas Day", a joy-filled Christmas "classic" from the new  album. Then Michael and the Katinas sang backup and the crowd kept time as Melinda inspired us all with the gospel song, "Jesus (What a Wonderful Child)". After a few more traditional sounding, but beautifully orchestrated Christmas songs, Michael, the Katinas and Melinda shared the story of Jesus' birth from the gospel of Luke and moved into "Gloria", a fun and rousing rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High", from Michael's 1989 Christmas album.After a short intermission, Michael and the orchestra performed the title track from the new album, which Michael swears is not from a movie. My kids and I argue over exactly which soundrack it sounds like, but I think we have it down to "Hedwig's Theme" from Harry Potter, the "Home Alone Main Title" and "The Battle" song from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. At any rate, it is a beautiful song and it would make a fantastic movie soundtrack. The crowd worshipped along to "Above All", a powerful church favorite and MWS chart-topper and then Michael performed the moving, "Audrey's Song" which he wrote for his first grandchild, born to his oldest son and daughter-in-law in March of this year.  It was the Katinas turn to shine as they shared some favorites from The Katinas Family Christmas CD, including "Christmas is Here," and "Mary Did You Know". I hadn't heard much from the brothers before, but I really enjoyed their beautiful harmonies, especially on one of my favorite holiday songs, "O Holy Night", which they perfomed beautifully with Michael on piano. Melinda joined them once again for "Silent Night" and "All is Well", softer songs yet with strong voice. "All is Well" is a personal favorite of mine, so it was wonderful to hear it performed with such haunting beauty. The crowd joined along for some Christmas carols before the orchestra played the most wonderful "Highland Carol", complete with bagpipes. The concert ended with a medley of traditional Christmas favorites including Michael's famous "Emmanuel" from his Christmastime album and an encore which, of course, included Michael's signature song, "Friends". I never did find out which orchestra it was that played at the Los Angeles show, but they did a wonderful job.I would highly recommend both the It's a Wonderful Christmas CD and tour for anyone who would like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season to enjoy a musical celebration of the Majesty of our Savior's birth. Michael's music and the tour performances are timeless, worshipful, and often breathtaking. If the tour comes your way this holiday season, don't miss it!
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