to listen or purchase
I am attracted to Christmas albums that give me an idea about what the holiday means to the artist. I also want to know if the tunes – whether they are originals or remakes – provide a glimpse into the artist’s view of the holiday’s cultural and religious significance. John Stoddart’s new Christmas CD, Only On Christmas Day, gets a check mark on both points. That should not be too surprising to anyone who heard Stoddart’s excellent 2010 album Faith Hope Love. Stoddart is at his best when singing about relationships, and it doesn’t really matter if those tunes address romantic relationships, familial ties our humanity’s connection with Christ.
Consider the track “‘twas On a Night.” Stoddart’s oldest daughter, Analise, wrote the tune that features strings and brass, endowing the tune with a traditional sound.
I am attracted to Christmas albums that give me an idea about what the holiday means to the artist. I also want to know if the tunes – whether they are originals or remakes – provide a glimpse into the artist’s view of the holiday’s cultural and religious significance. John Stoddart’s new Christmas CD, Only On Christmas Day, gets a check mark on both points. That should not be too surprising to anyone who heard Stoddart’s excellent 2010 album Faith Hope Love. Stoddart is at his best when singing about relationships, and it doesn’t really matter if those tunes address romantic relationships, familial ties our humanity’s connection with Christ.
Consider the track “‘twas On a Night.” Stoddart’s oldest daughter, Analise, wrote the tune that features strings and brass, endowing the tune with a traditional sound.
Stoddart and his two daughters, the aforementioned Analise and Anya-Noelle, set the stage for what happened in the manger on that first Christmas and how Christ would become the perfect sacrifice 33 years later. In that sense, “’twas On a Night” can be performed during the Christmas and Easter Holiday seasons.
“’twas On a Night” and “You (Noelle’s Song)” give listeners insight into a man who views his children as both gifted and gifts. Analise shared the musical composition that became “’twas On a Night,” with her father who knew he had something special. Stoddart not only had a good piece of music, he had an opportunity to work with his daughters and both young ladies proved to be skilled and confident vocalists. “You (Noelle’s Song)” is a sweet acoustic number that has a country feel. Stoddart wrote the song in honor of his youngest daughter who was born on Christmas Eve. “You (Noelle’s Song)” reminds listeners that our ties with the people in our lives are the gifts that give during Christmas and beyond.
Only On Christmas Day is filled with other strong original tracks. “All I Want” is a mid-tempo R&B ballad where Stoddart explores Christmas as a time for romance. The title track is a soulful and visually emotive ballad that features the sax work of contemporary jazz artist Kirk Whalum. Stoddart takes in those cultural markers of Christmas such as grandma’s cooking, the decorations and gifts and then stops to realize why the day is so important.
The album’s five covers have a distinctive sound. “Angels We Have Heard on High” takes us to the church as Stoddart sings accompanied by piano, while “Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel” evokes the percussive melodies of Africa and “The First Noel” sports a bossa nova sway. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is a contemporary R&B pop duet that features Lalah Hathaway, while “My Favorite Things” sports a jazzy swing augmented by Rick Braun’s Harmon muted trumpet.
John Stoddart is an artist who is difficult to classify. His previous album was a secular project that was heavily influenced by his deep faith in God. Stoddart is a secular artist who can make a Christmas album without raising the ire of church folks. He doesn’t straddle the line between secular and spiritual music as much as show that the two genres don’t have to be at odds. And of all of the many virtues found in Only On Christmas Day that may be the biggest. Strongly Recommended.
By Howard Dukes