The way of tradition is always paved with good intentions. Something becomes a tradition because it works, it has benefits. And so we need not scrap away all the traditions we know.
Through time, artists have experimented and streched as much as possible the musical chords as we know them. And yet, there is still a room for traditional music in our own musical libraries. This album from Maranatha! Christmas released 4 years ago reminds us of that reality.
The 1st track is the way I would remember music in Christmas past and it still sounds lovely and warm during a cold December night. The Christmas Suite featured on the 7th continues to call to mind what a good time it is to celebrate faith, love, joy and hope during this time of the year. The 9th track brings us back to focus why the season is not just about good food, Santa and Rudolph, Chritmas trees and all the gifts under it. In the beginning, there was a birth that marked history profoundly as well as you and me.
A version from fresh, young voices singing the classic We Wish You a Merry Christmas ends the album. Now I don't think that is traditional. I think that piece sang by an apparently younger group as compared to the album's other selections placed right there is a doorway into the future where tradition can and may give way to the new, to the young. It aptly reminds us that the season is both for the young and not-so-young, for the traditional and not-so-traditional. The season just like the Messiah whose birth we remember is for all ages, for all time.
This album then may be traditional, may be a classic but I do think it can still be a welcome treat for all ages, for all time.
