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Our Review

Christian singer/songwriter Mollie Magee's Star Carol is a lovely and loving holiday offering for the Christmas season. It features twelve holiday favorites, including one Magee original ("He Is Born"). This pleasing pop album is gentle, upbeat, and broadly satisfying.

Magee's gentle, pure voice is the featured element in this equation, and all of the voices on the album are hers. On several numbers, the artist provides the background "chorus." The harmonies on cuts such as "White Christmas" are superb.

The artist receives excellent instrumental support from her buoyant band. The one instrumental track ("The Christ Child's Lullaby") is absolutely delicious. My only complaint is that I wish Magee's microphone had been cranked up on her vocals; on several occasions, the instrumentation risks overshadowing her fine voice. Perhaps for that reason, my favorite tracks tend to be the simpler production numbers--the sweet "Some Children See Him" tops my list.

Magee's original "He Is Born" is an inspired and inspiring number with a memorable tune, rock tempo, strong lyrics, and an ethereal, synthesized aura tossed into the mix. Key Bible verses are narrated while the refrain plays above: "He is the Way; He is the Truth; He is the Light--shining bright, shining bright, shining bright, etc."

Star Carol does contain a thirteenth track not listed on the album, closing the CD with a smoothly layered "instrumental." This cut is a lovely reprise of "He Is Born," and it provides a most fitting ending. The sound is jazzy and majestic all at once. About a minute before the end, Magee begins whispering "He is born, He is born, He is born in Bethlehem; The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, He is born in Bethlehem", repeating the refrain over and over again to dramatic effect.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Produced by Steve Mathews & Jason Webb

Lead Vocals & all Background Vocals: Mollie Magee
Flute: Mollie Magee
Piano and Keyboards: Jason Webb
Guitars: Tom Hemby & Jeff King
Bass (electric and upright): Danny O'Lanergty
Drums & Percussion: Steve Brewster
Keyboards & Penny Whistle: Steve Mathews
Management & Distribution: Mark Magee
Musical Advisor: Matthew Magee

From the Web site:

Christian singer/songwriter, Mollie Magee, has been involved in music ministry for most of her life. She is a multi-talented musician using flute, recorder, and tin whistle as an added feature in her concerts. Mollie's greatest passion has been her involvement as an Artist Associate for World Vision, the largest Christian development and relief organization in the world. As an Artist Associate, Mollie educates others about the needs of helping children and poor communities throughout the world. She has learned first hand about many of these needs while on mission trips to projects in third world countries.

Mollie Magee

The Star Carol: A Christmas Album

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Track List