Mark Schultz ‘Christmas’ Album Review

Mark Schultz
Christmas
(Lucid Artist)

With Mark Schultz’s celebrated career built on warm, endearing vocals, heart-tugging lyrics, and rich melodies, it seems strange that this is the artist’s first foray into releasing a full-length record of holiday tunes, aptly titled Christmas. But it’s a match made in heaven with Schultz’s signature sound leading the way through this ten-track collection of sacred and secular favorites, along with a few originals to boot.

The showstoppers are the originals of “Different Kind of Christmas” and “When Love Was Born” and, while they’ve been heard before, released by the artist a few years ago, they’re new enough to hold your attention. The former is a powerful tune and gives poignant voice to those whose grief imposes on the holiday season.

Schultz has a good time with the cover tracks as well, infusing a classic like “O Holy Night” with an almost doo-wop shuffle while “I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas” gets a timeless, jazz-inspired feel. The artist’s instrumental original “Snow In Paris” is starkly beautiful while a gospel vibe closes things out on the playful arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy.”

Filled with warmth and worship, Mark Schultz’s Christmas is a perfectly wrapped gift for this holiday season.

–Andrew Greenhalgh