Christmas Music Review #3: Sarah Beisser - Love is Waiting

Sarah Beisser is a gifted vocalist from Central Iowa who has released her debut Christmas album entitled Love Is Waiting recently. The CD features 14 tracks: 13 covers of Christmas standards and 1 original song.

This CD is a wonderful addition to all of your holiday music collections. The arrangements are first-rate with wonderful interplay between the voice, keyboards, guitars, and string orchestrations. Fans of folksy, classic Christmas music in the styles of Lorie Line, Kathy Mattea, and others will enjoy this very much. The album is essentially two Christmas albums in one: a light-hearted "sleigh ride" through the season and also a deeper Christ-centered ministry approach. The songs are carefully paced to deliver the message of Christmas. A few highlights below:

"The First Noel" - A nice kickoff to the album, complete with sequenced keyboards against acoustic guitar

"Let It Snow" - a light and jazzy take on the old favorite. Nice orchestration.

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" - takes a rockabilly turn on this familiar song. Fun for the whole family. ?

"White Christmas" - a feathery version of the standard, evoking memories of Christmas Eve and newly-falling snow.

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" takes on a lite-jazz feel with sweeping orchestration, and a tasty blues guitar solo.

"What Child Is This?" - a rustic instrumental version of this favorite hymn marks the transition point of the album

"Breath of Heaven" - this tune done by Amy Grant and others, ushers us into the spirit of the season. Wonderfully atmospheric.

"Mary Did You Know?" - this modern-day Christmas classic, written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, has become one of the favorites of many listeners. Covered by many artists, it is included here with a nice, sparse accompaniment of acoustic guitar and light piano touches.

"Love is Waiting" - The title track and the focus of the album. It reminds of the Christmas spirit, and tells us that love is waiting for us to believe. It encourages us to love one another this Christmas season. Vocal and piano solo tell the story of Jesus in a manner akin to gathering the family around the fireplace on a winter's night.

Wonderfully orchestrated, and thoughtfully produced, Love Is Waiting is brimming with rich musical textures, and a message sure to warm your heart and provoke your mind this season. It will make a wonderful addition to your Christmas music collection.