Christmas Songs for All Ages
Posted November 02, 2022
By BPence,
I was introduced to Ellie Holcomb at the Getty’s Sing! conference. Her 2021 album Canyon was one of my favorites last year. You can read my review of Canyon here.
Holcomb is back with a six-song Christmas EP Sing: Christmas Songs, which accompanies her latest children’s book Sounding Joy. The EP, which will be enjoyed by all ages, features three new original songs as well as her interpretation of traditional carols and holiday favorites. The book and album were inspired by the song “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts, and the album is an invitation to sing about the hope we have. The album was produced by Christmas music legend Brown Bannister.
Here are a few brief comments about each song:
Sounding Joy – This was the first song released from the project, and was written by Holcomb and Nathan Dugger. The song begins with church bells, and features drums, bass, guitar, and a children’s choir.
Key lyric:
God sent His Son to make heaven our home
So every Christmas, every girl, and each boy
Could lift up their voice and repeat sounding joy
Glad Tidings – This song was written by Holcomb and Nathan Dugger. This joyful song about the coming of Christ features an Irish sound, with fiddle, laughter, hand clap/stomp, drums, bass, guitar, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
The Lord has come
The wait is done
Glad tidings angels bring
Let it Snow/Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer/Deck the Halls/Joy to the World – This medley of well-known Christmas songs was written by Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn, Johnny Marks, Thomas Oliphant and Isaac Watts. The arrangements are upbeat and joyful, excellent for singing along to.
Jingle Bells – This song was written by Holcomb and James Pierpont. The arrangement, featuring some new lyrics from Holcomb, is upbeat and joyful, excellent to for singing along to.
Emmanuel, God Is With Us – This joyful and upbeat song was written by Nathan Dugger. The song features keys, piano, guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals, and a memorable chorus.
O Come All Ye Faithful – This song was written by John Francis Wade. The simple arrangement, featuring guitar, keys and backing vocals, makes this song excellent to sing along to.
Favorite songs:
Sounding Joy
Glad Tidings
Emmanuel, God Is With Us
Listen to Sing: Christmas songs here.
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