Christmas Music Review #2: Kathy Mattea's Good News

Kathy Mattea's first Christmas album 1993's Good News is a very nice complement to the canon of holiday music. It is very much Christ-centered, and is a throwback to simpler sounds. The instrumentation is very stellar, Don Potter's acoustic guitar contributes several fine spots in the tunes. Mattea's alto voice warmly wraps the material like a blanket.

First up is "What A Wonderful Beginning" (…to the greatest story ever told). This is a wonderful way to start a Christmas album. Mattea's warm vocal invite everyone in, like gathering the family around the fire place.

Next up is "There's a New Kid In Town". This tune has an acoustic country feel similar to the first tune. Lyrically it refers to the arrival of the Christ child. Beautiful song.

"Brightest and Best" follows, and this has a Renaissance chant-type feel to it. It is the heralding of the star in the East, signaling the way to Bethlehem

The centerpiece is "Mary Did you Know?" the modern-day Christmas classic written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. Mattea's version is one of the better known versions of this oft-covered piece, and for good reason. In the liner notes, Mattea mentions that the lead vocal was a spontaneous moment in the studio. Don Potter's acoustic guitar adds a wonderful counterpoint to the melody, so much so that I can't imagine this song without the guitar accompaniment. The song asks a series of questions whether Mary knew the extent of what God had trusted her with. A very poignant song.

"The Star" follows. This is a gentle song that is layered in a sweet bed of acoustic guitar and piano. The title and song refer again to the star of Bethlehem.

"Emmanuel" is sung in a classic English round, with the verses repeating against themselves.

"Somebody's Talkin' Bout Jesus" is cast in the form of a negro spiritual (modal/blues harmony). "Every where I go, somebody talkin' bout Jesus".

"Nothing But A Child" is a beautiful song by country songsmith Steve Earle. It tells the full story of Christmas, from the journey to the arrival of the baby Jesus.

Dougie McLean guests on "Christ Child Lullabye". This is a similarly style chant/lullybye with nice dulcimer touches

The title track "Good News" is a beautiful choral piece heralding the coming of Jesus, the Word made Flesh, the Messiah.

For my money, this would have to be my favorite Christmas album. I never get tired of it, and I've been listening to it every Christmas for the past 4 or 5 years at least. The album is very folksy, and acoustic in nature; perfectly suitable for a nice Christmas Eve around the fire with family.