This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
Hi Guys! I cannot stop listening to this pure and stunning Christmas album put together by two Les Miserables 3NT alumni (Dallyn Vail Bayles and Mindy Smoot Robbins) with stunning arrangements by Kurt Bestor.
Track List:
1- O Holy Night (Duet)
2- Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Dallyn)
3- Mary’s Lullaby (by John Rutter) (Mindy)
4- What Child is This? (Duet – based on the Bocelli and Blige arrangement)
5- Angels We Have Heard On High / Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (Dallyn)
6- Wexford Carol (Duet)
7- In The Bleak Midwinter (Mindy)
8- Gesu Bambino (Duet)
9- I Wonder As I Wander (Dallyn)
10- Silent Night (Mindy and a little Dallyn)
11- BONUS: The Prayer (feat. One Voice Children’s Choir – Masa Fukuda) (Duet)
From Mindy and Dallyn:
CHRISTMAS is truly the most wonderful time of the year. It is a season of gift-giving, service, love, and especially music. For this album we have selected some of our most beloved Christmas songs centered on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His mission. Our hope is that amidst the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating and wrapping, listening to these timeless melodies and their
sacred lyrics will bring greater peace in our lives and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. We invite you to journey with us to that holy night in Bethlehem and ponder the significance of Jesus’s birth in your own life. May we honor and celebrate Him during this sacred season and always.
Album Review:
Friends will tell you that I believe Dallyn‘s voice is touched by God Himself. I have all 3 of his albums [try streaming them on Amazon with a free 30 day trial]. My favourite of his albums is Songs of Redeeming Love. I have track #3 constantly on repeat! Best version E-V-E-R).
And I am thrilled to say that their Christmas album, O Holy Night, is available on iTunes and Amazon (and both of their streaming services) so I have been listening nonstop these last few hours. And it is beyond beautiful and most certainly my favourite Christmas album now.
Mindy (whom I had seen in the ensemble of Les Mis when she was Sutton Foster’s understudy) shines vocally in a way that surprised even me who had listened (cough, cough) to some of the old school 3NT clips of her as Eponine. Her versions of Mary’s Lullaby and Bleak Midwinter are gorgeous and will possibly have you reaching for a handkerchief.
And what can be said of Dallyn’s renditions of favourites such as I Wonder as I Wander (gives me chills! goosies! will definitely be played on repeat!) and Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (that voice! gloria!)? His voice truly is a gift from God and what a blessing to the rest of us that we may enjoy it thanks to these albums both physical and digital.
And there is no denying that when their voices weave together on duets like O Holy Night angels in Heaven must be singing along in rapture. And I don’t believe I ever heard and paid attention to Wexford Carol quite like I did listening to the duo’s heavenly duet. The song (as were others!) came alive for me as if I was hearing it for the first time ever.
Arranger Kurt Bestor has done a fantastic job with the arrangements to make these classic pieces fresh and help them come alive with each new listen. And a big shout out to the orchestra for matching the singers at every note and allowing them to shine.
For those who are not part of the Mormon church, such as myself, you need not worry that there will be songs you cannot relate to on this album. The musical numbers are all appropriate for anyone who wants to listen to some classical and beautiful Christmas music. True, those who believe in the Saviour will likely appreciate it more so but everyone will be able to take something beautiful away from this album.
If there’s one Christmas album you buy this year, I highly recommend this Christmas album that will be sure to bring joy to you and yours year after year.
Happy Christmas!
Great review! This may be the new Christmas music I add to my collection…
i really don't think you'll regret buying it. such glorious music.
I love this! So magical.
i was actually tempted to use the word 'magical' in my review. 😀
Oh this sounds like a powerful holiday album! I love listening to music like this in my car!
very powerful! i bet it would make the commute much easier.
I love holiday music. I could listen to it year round. lol
i used to be like that and would start listening in september 😉 did you listen to any of the songs?
Oh I love Christmas albums and would play them all year around if my hubby would let me 😀 O Holy Night sounds absolutely beautiful, I'm going to have to sneak this one into our collection
i hope you find a place in your music collection for O Holy Night. It's just so beautiful.
I really love listening to all Christmas songs and this sounds album sounds like a perfect thing to buy for me and a perfect gift to give to my love ones.
you're absolutely right. it would be a great gift. hope your loved ones and you enjoy it!
Christmas Albums are what I really love to collect every Christmas. I totally love listening Christmas music especially when it's coming.
i bet you have a fabulous collection.
This sounds like an amazing Christmas album. Would make a wonderful holiday gift too
it is! did you get a chance to listen to the songs?
I tend to prefer non-religious Christmas songs in general but am so glad that you love the album so much- I'm so excited to start getting festive!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
what is your favourite non-religious album?
I always loved and always enjoyed listening to all Christmas carols. Listening to it makes me feel so happy and peaceful.
me too! especially with all the bustle going on in the world around us.
the holidays is not complete unless we have the music! I love listening to Christmas music just makes everything much better.
hope you consider adding this album to your collection.
It amazing how people don't forget to do something wonderful every Christmas. Have a merry Christmas everyone. ��
happy christmas to you too!
Christmas music has always been so very special for me right from childhood. You refreshed those memories again.
hope you enjoyed the music!
O Holy Night sounds like a wonderful Xmas album. I love Les Miserables, but I must admit I've never heard of Dallyn Vail Bayles and Mindy Smoot Robbins. Thank you for introducing them to me. And The Prayer (one of my favourite songs) is also on the album. One Voice Children's Choir certainly compliments Dallyn and Mindy's amazing vocals.
It's so peaceful when listening to Christmas music knowingly that holiday is coming what a relief 🙂
I am a lover of Christmas music for sure, are these songs going to play on the radio this year?
I still play the same Christmas songs over the years. They make me nostalgic. And maybe this year I will play new songs ^^