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This former "Star Search" victor has come full circle. From meager beginnings to the bright light of instant celebrity, this Grammy winner has retreated to more humble roots, finding his "true voice" once again. And what a voice it is! Billy Dean's The Christ (A Song for Joseph) is first-class country fare, highlighting Dean's superb vocal talents and songwriting abilities. Dean's instincts are right on; this exciting and very accessible holiday release is pleasing on every level.

The album opens extremely well. The title cut "The Christ" exemplifies powerful songwriting (by Billy Dean and Ray Barnette), telling the Christmas story from Joseph's emotional, awestruck perspective. This intimate tale is moving and memorable, a very special father-to-Son moment. The second cut is "Mary, Did You Know?," one of my all-time personal favorites. This is the first time I've heard the number performed as a duet. These gentlemen (Billy Dean & David Pack) lifted this excellent song to an even higher plane. The third track completes the triple play with Dolly Parton, who has one of the best voices in the music industry, doing an emotionally-charged, yet sweetly subdued, turn on "Silent Night."

Really, everything is a pleasure on this CD. The ten tracks are mostly sacred classics and a few contemporary gems. The presentation feels warm and authentic, never plastic or overproduced, and the overall mood is tender, mellow, and familiar. The album is chockfull of nice touches, including the great hand drum on "Little Drummer Boy," the cello flourishes on numbers like "O Holy Night," the children's choir on "Away in a Manger," and the gutsy glory of "Shine On" celebrating the newborn king as the album closes. Music this fine should not end so soon. After just 33 minutes, I was left hankering for much, much more!

Welcome back to your roots, Billy Dean! Your album, The Christ (A Song for Joseph), is a remarkable gift for the holiday season. It's one I plan to unwrap often every year at about this time.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

All songs produced by Billy Dean and Ray Barnette except "Mary Did You Know" produced by Billy Dean, David Pack, and Ray Barnette

Lead Vocals: Billy Dean, David Pack (2), Dolly Parton (3)
Drums and Percussion: Steve Brewster, Kenny Malone
Bass: Dave Pomeroy
Electric Guitar: Tom Bukovac
Acoustic Guitar: Billy Dean, Larry Beaird
Steel Guitar: Paul Franklin
Electric Guitar: Brent Mason
Piano and Organ: Gordon Mote
Organ: Tim Akers
Strings: John Catchings, Kristin Wilkinson, Brian Arrowood, David Davidson and David Angell
Cello: John Catchings
Fiddle: Stuart Duncan
Hammered Dulcimer and Autoharp: Craig Duncan
Backing Vocals: Vicki Hampton, Kim Fleming, Duane Hamilton, Ray Barnette, Brent Rader, Marcia Ramirez Children's Choir: Kimberlin Burkett, Hannah Dean, Maggie Rutherford, Sam Skorik and Brittany Starr
Child Speaking: Bryce Bergholtz

From the Web site:

Billy Dean doesn't live on the Ponderosa.

His home is in a part of Nashville where tourist buses never run. His neighbors work nine to five, punch time clocks or manage blue-collar businesses. Like Billy, they take out their own trash, cook for their kids, and wash their own dishes. They all know each other by their first names.

It's not where you'd expect to find a Grammy winner, a rangy, handsome singer who charted so quickly and often that he could release a Greatest Hits collection as his fourth album. Yet there he is, a single dad, his bedroom literally two steps away from those of his two kids, his studio set up in a corner of his basement.

And there's no place he'd rather be.

"I've had the Ponderosa," he grins, leaning against his kitchen counter, a cup of coffee steaming in his hand. "In fact, I've still got it. Damn woodpeckers and worms are having a field day with it, but as far as I'm concerned, they can eat it. I'm here because this is where I want to be."

Billy Dean

The Christ (A Song for Joseph)

Artist link

Track List