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Our Review

Enjoy National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation"? My family watches this iconic holiday flick just about every year. We can (almost) sing the theme song in our sleep--it's a catchy ditty that rarely gets recorded.

Happily, Lisa Kessler chose to lead off The Magic of Christmas with Christmas Vacation, and she does a solid rendition. I can just imagine Chevy Chase in various stages of distress as Kessler cheerfully works her way through the song.

The Magic of Christmas is a family affair--and isn't family what the holidays are all about? Her mother Ally Benbrook painted the album cover, using Kessler's favorite color (presumably purple). Husband Ken is the co-founder of SOC Music, Kessler's label. Now if I only had connections like that--perhaps I could get a deal showcasing MY talents, if only I had some.

Kessler has a lovely soprano voice. Her abilities are showcased best on ancient carols and classical pieces such as Coventry Carol and Ave Maria; she seems somewhat less comfortable on popular standards and in the lower registers. That being said, Kessler does a comfortable job selling The Christmas Song, and she really hits her stride on Perfect Christmas Night.

I enjoyed hearing Lisa Kessler's The Magic of Christmas this evening--and especially loved her buoyant Christmas Vacation.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2009)

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From the liner notes:

Recording "The Magic of Christmas" has been a labor of love.


From the artist's Website:

I sang in choirs and show choirs all through school, exiting high school with our coveted "Most Outstanding Musician" award. I left school with the ambition to be a choir director, but after two years of college under my belt, I started a family instead.

I continued studying voice privately, and eventually won awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) contests, San Diego Catch A Rising Star contest, and the San Diego Choral Club. I participated in the Metropolitan Opera auditions, and performed with the San Diego Opera, San Diego Lyric Opera, San Diego State University Opera Workshop, Applause Players, and Christian Community Theater.

I'm currently the soprano soloist at Graham Memorial Presyterian Church in Coronado, California.

Lisa Kessler

The Magic of Christmas

Artist link

Track List