Our Review
Annie Haslam is best known as the long-time vocalist for the English classical rock band Renaissance beginning in the 1970s. Since that time, she has enjoyed a diverse career covering not only music, but fashion and art, too. This multi-faceted woman displays her considerable talents in "It Snows in Heaven Too."
Although Haslam is a rocker, this holiday CD is not really a rock album. It has an ethereal, light-hearted quality that is more akin to pop or possibly Celtic. In any event, it is a pleasing cross-blend of several different genres. Haslam's voice is the featured performer. She has an impressive reach, hitting notes that soar into the stratosphere.
"It Snows in Heaven Too" is the sole original number on the album, and it is a lovely number. The other 15 tracks are familiar holiday standards, ranging from ancient carols (such as "We Three Kings") to more modern fare ("Christmas Time Is Here"). My favorite numbers are those that showcase Haslam's voice in the most unadorned fashion. She does an excellent job providing warm emotion on "The Christmas Song" and exuding radiance on her a cappella "Away in A Manger." As the album draws to a close, background vocals provide a rich bass line in "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", and Haslam gives a solid finish with her jazzy "White Christmas."
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)
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From the liner notes:
Credits:
Annie Haslam: vocals
Rave Tesar: all arrangements; producer, keyboards
Joe Goldberger: drums on 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 16
John Arbo: electric bass on 7 & 14; acoustic bass on 11 & 16
From the website:
Annie Haslam is a singer-songwriter with credits worthy of some of the most well known entertainers in the world. Primarily known for her role as the lead singer with the English classical rock band 'Renaissance' she later became equally heralded as a solo artist. Annie has traveled the world delighting audiences, most recently as far off as Japan and Brazil with her five octave voice and warm personality
Annie Haslam
It Snows in Heaven Too
Artist link
Label: White Dove Records
Length: 53 minutes
Genre: Pop
Release: 2000
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| O Holy Night |
| Silent Night |
| The Snowman |
| It Snows in Heaven Too |
| It Came Upon a Midnight Clear |
| Joy to the World |
| The Christmas Song |
| Ave Maria |
| We Three Kings |
| The Little Drummer Boy |
| Christmas Time Is Here |
| Away In a Manger |
| O Come, O Come, Immanuel |
| Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas |
| Hark! The Herald Angels Sing |
| White Christmas |