Producer: Michael D. Clute & Jimmy Olander
Record Label: Word/Curb/Warner Alliance
Website: http://www.diamondrio.com
There’s always something very charming about country Christmas albums. They have that down-home feel. Their arrangements are never really too far from the originals and the vocals tend to always be spot-on. Diamond Rio’s Word Records debut is their latest Christmas recording - The Star Still Shines: A Diamond Rio Christmas. The popular country band have created a stellar Christmas album full of traditional arrangements and charming Christmas numbers that cover everything from the modern sounds of country to the country/western of the 70’s and 80’s and touches of pop and bluegrass as well. The Star Still Shines covers traditional favorites for the most part - such as tunes like secular favorites “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)”, “Sleigh Ride”, “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”, and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, just to name a few. In addition, the group covers the sacred song “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and show their heart for the Christmas story on one of the few album originals “The Star Still Shines” - a beautiful modern country ballad. The accapella arrangement of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” shows that the band is capable of impressive vocal work as well. However, the band gets to shine on their instrumental version of “Christmas Is Coming” - taken from the original Charlie Brown Christmas special. The Star Still Shines is another solid album from this popular country band. It should be a welcome addition to fans of country acts like Lonestar, Oak Ridge Boys, or Randy Travis, as well as fans of memorable holiday recordings.
Track listing:
The Star Still Shines
The Christmas Song
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Winter Wonderland
Emmanuel
Christmas Time Is Here
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Acappella)
Christmas Time's A Comin'
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Sleigh Ride
Christmas Is Coming
Author: Chris D. Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 12/01/2007
| 
Category: CD Reviews
Comments: 1
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"The Star Still Shines" is the best new Christmas song I've heard in years, and Don Poythress is an incredibly talented writer, or co-writer in this case.
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