Can you say inspired heavily by The Carpenters? Singer-songwriter Hilary Weeks strikes silver and gold with her first Christmas album, particularly because of its similarities to The Carpenters' A Christmas Portrait. The twelve track album comes with two original songs penned by Weeks, a cover of a Michael W. Smith song and nine traditional favorites. Weeks doesn't have a huge range in her voice, so a lot of credit goes to the many arrangers who transposed the traditionals into her range. Even with her limited range, Weeks is a good pop singer, and she delivers with this album. The album rates a solid four. Read on for details on each song.

"Christmastime" is the title track and is an original by Weeks. She speaks of how traditions and the old story mix together and are "All wrapped up in the gift of Christmastime." Tyler Castleton arranged the piece and it has a lovely piano accompaniment that echoes the melody. Nice opening.

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" was arranged by David Zabriskie and receives a slight pop treatment. Nothing spectacular.

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a beautiful song no matter who sings the song. Arranged by percussionist Todd Sorensen, it was kept appropriately low-key.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" gets a true pop reworking by Rich Dixon of Colors fame. The guitar gets a bit more emphasis on this rendition but not too overpowering. Pretty cool arrangement, actually.

The old chestnut "The Christmas Song" was arranged by David Zabriskie and the similarity to The Carpenters is a little uncanny. A pleasing version with a touch of brass and strings.
"Sleigh Ride" was a joint arrangement by Todd Sorensen and Zabriskie with Sorensen focusing on the entire song and Zabriskie arranging the choir vocals. Again, another song with uncanny similarity to The Carpenters. It isn't so much Weeks' voice as it is the way the music is arranged and performed that the resemblance is found.

"Silver Bells" was arranged by Sorensen and goes a little too slow for my taste, but is good nonetheless.

"O Holy Night" gets a very pleasing harp treatment in Zabriskie's arrangement.
Fans of Enoch Train and Mannheim Steamroller will love Clive Romney's folksy treatment of "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella." Very nice acoustic rendition that is peppy without being formulaic.

"God Bless Your Way" is the second original by Weeks and is arranged by Tyler Castleton. It gets somewhat of a folk orchestra treatment. The lyrics tell the beautiful story of a fictional visitor to the baby Jesus who says "That's all I have to offer/How I wish I could give you much more/Your mother is kind and gentle/Your father let me in the door/They said You're from heaven/That that You've been sent here for my sake/Good luck on Your journey/God bless Your way." This is a touching song and I predict a lot of people will like it.

Brett Raymond does a lovely jazz version of "White Christmas" with Weeks sounding somewhat like a torch singer, going slightly smoky above the piano. Good stuff.

The album closes with a cover of Smith's "Shine On Us." Zabriskie does a nice arrangement that has the feel of an inspirational anthem from the Olympics. This is a great, uplifting, raise your hands to the sky in praise, go share the good news, almost chest-thumping song. Very nice close.

Just one more note about the album. I noted many familiar studio musicians who have become reliable to me and are indicators of the class level the album will fall in. Mostly it's upper-class stuff and I felt that the musicianship was super. The similarity to The Carpenters is intended as a compliment, because their music has traditionally been so easy on the ears. And that's exactly what this album is: easy on the ears.

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Dacia A. Blodgett-Williams

1. Christmastime
2. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
3. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. The Christmas Song
6. Sleigh Ride
7. Silver Bells
8. O Holy Night
9. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
10. God Bless Your Way
11. White Christmas
12. Shine On Us