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Our Review

Star of Bethlehem, the new CD by Three Days Wait, has a lot going for it, not the least of which is that this is almost entirely new material. Sure, they occasionally riff on an existing carol, but only within the context of a new song. For example, Glimpse of Heaven--an infectious little country rock number, and one of my favorites on the CD-- encapsulates a bit of Silent Night. (This is one of the most original approaches I've seen for paying homage to this ubiquitous holiday ornament, without actually playing the thing.)

Paying homage is something Three Days Wait is pretty good at. The band plays in a number of rock styles, from 70s, Boston-style to post-grunge (the nicely angst-filled Merry Christmas that they held for the finale), even throwing in a faux bluegrass number (Blue Grass Christmas) somewhere in the middle. Snow Blues, in particular, was both a nice turn playing 12-bar blues, as well as being a rather heartfelt secular inclusion ("I've had enough of winter, here in Ohio/I've had enough of winter, in Ohio/Yeah, I"m going south of the border, baby, to live in Mexico").

I didn't like everything on the record. It does not open with quite enough energy for a rock CD. I'm not a big fan of Christian rock music generally, which often takes liberties with elements of the story just to get a rhyme, and seems oxymoronic to me as well, but I give this band plenty of credit for challenging me with new songs and a variety of styles. I found it very easy to continue listening to it, particularly the second half of the CD, which contained the wonderfully innocent Sled Riding, among others.

Three Days Wait rock. Their music may not be for everyone, but it grows on you.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Nathan Wagner - Lead and Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Jim Ledford - Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Banjo, Mandolin
Mark Ledford - Piano
Glen Wilson - Bass
Mike Jessup - Drums
Rusty Thomas Yanok - Backing Vocals, Extra Guitars
Jeremy Sipes - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Renee Johnson - Violin
Tim Tadijanac - Upright Bass
John L. Lane Radio Announcer voice-over
Westerville Naz Choral Group - Choir

Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Rusty Thomas Yanok
Recorded, mixed and mastered at the PowerPlant Studios Westerville, Ohio
All songs arranged by Jim Ledford, Nathan Wagner, and Rusty Thomas Yanok
Words and music by Jim Ledford and Nathan Wagner except Merry CHristmas by Mark Ledford and words on We Three Kings by John H. Hopkins Jr. 1857 (Public Domain)
Artwork and Logo design by Megan Gajewski
Cover art concept by Karie Cox
Executive Producer - Chris Marth

A portion of the proceeds from the sale fo this CD benefit children's charities, which we select.

Three Days Wait

Star of Bethlehem

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Track List