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Wow--Juice Newton! Grammy-winning (for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, in 1982) Newton has long walked the line between country and pop/rock music. On The Gift of Christmas, the artist delivers progressive country with a rockin' edge, and it's a kick.

The album opens very well with a cappella bars of Go Tell It on the Mountain, and the exciting ride begins. This music is upbeat and joyously executed. I had honestly forgotten just how good Newton's powerfully textured voice is. Her album mixes holiday favorites with Newton's own creations (written with Otha Young and Andre Mayeaux). As for the familiar tracks, Newton delivers an especially dynamic Mary's Boy Child, a splendid gospel version of Auld Lang Syne, and vibrant multi-part harmonies on Jingle Bell Rock. In the newly-penned category, I especially enjoyed the boogie-woogie Santa Can Dance. Her Shining Star is a funkified rap version of the nativity story, and while that sounds questionable, it actually works better than you might imagine. The album contains other nice surprises, too; for example, she does a nifty, hand-clappin' Better Get Ready!.

I'm juiced up for The Gift of Christmas this holiday season. Juice Newton has packaged a warmly polished offering that should have crossover appeal for both contemporary country and pop audiences.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

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From the liner notes:

Production: Andre Mayeux, Juice Newton, Otha Young
Programming: Andre Mayeux
Keyboards & Percussion: Andre Mayeux
Guitars, Mandolin: Otha Young
Background Vocals: Juice Newton, Otha Young
Special Guest Vocalist: Steve McClintock on "Christmas Needs Love to Be Christmas"
Engineer: Andre Mayeux at AM Music Studio


From the Website:

Never Out Of Style....
Juice Newton known for her impact on the pop, as well as the country music scene, exhibits diversity in her music as well as her stage show. Juice keeps her performances varied with the energy of her top-notch touring band, and the intimacy of an acoustic setting. Otha Young, Juice's longtime musical partner and songwriter, said, "With the band we have now can give the audience the full spectrum of Juice's music."

That spectrum is wide but identifiable. Juice Newton, through her pop and country hits, her distinctive voice and entertaining performance skills, continues to captivate audiences from teens to grandparents, from the city to the country. As a music critic stated, "Newton remains one of the most riveting performers in music, rocking on stage and playing each emotion for what it's worth. And it's worth a lot."

Juice Newton

The Gift of Christmas

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Track List