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The care that was taken with the instrumental and vocal arrangements for Mark Masri's Christmas Is... was impressive, even if this was lost on me. The mix of some of my least favorite sacred carols with romantic pop tunes combined what are, for me, two of the most overbearing elements of contemporary Christmas recordings. That said, I appreciated Mark Masri's sweet vocals, even if they were performed in the service of a style I can scarcely tolerate for 46 consecutive minutes. I could appreciate also the exquisite arrangements, which tended to mix instrumental and choral voices in proper measure. Mark Masri's performance on O Holy Night was the highlight of the CD, with Olivia Newton-John's featured vocals on Every Time It Snows ran a close second.

I think I am not really in the demographic that would love Christmas Is..., but for those who enjoy the likes of Josh Groban or Harry Connick, Jr., Mark Masri's new offering may be just the ticket this holiday season.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2009)

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From the liner notes:

Mark Masri, vocals and programming, choral vocals
Ray Oommen, keyboards and programming, Rhodes, arrangments
Corey Lacey, guitars
Pete Anthony, string arrangements
Jack Lenz, conductor
Renee Rowe, background vocals
Jim Brickman, featured vocals and piano
Lori Dortano, background vocals
Olivia Newton-John, featured vocals
David Foster, piano
Rob Pitch, guitars
Canadian Children's Opera Company, choral vocals
Steven Moccio, piano and programming
Corey Butler, piano
Samuel Williams, bass
Larnell Williams, drums
Germaine Stern, B3
Mike Francis, guitars
Maury Lafoy, bass
Lyle Molzan, drums
Steve Hunter, keyboards and programming
Renee Rowe, choral vocals
Amoy Levy, choral vocals
Nicole Anderson, choral vocals
Hiram Joseph, choral vocals
Colleen Blake, choral vocals
Nevon Sinclair, choral vocals

Mark Masri

Christmas Is...

Artist link

Track List