The Christmas Project by John Schlitt - REVIEWED

Grammy and Dove Award winning vocalist John Schlitt, one of the most distinctive voices in Christian music, has never recorded a Christmas song--until now. Schlitt's The Christmas Project is slated to release digitally and through online retailers November 19, with a brick and mortar retail store release to follow in 2014.

The full-length CD is comprised primarily of beloved traditional Christmas carols, but that doesn't mean The Christmas Project is all egg nog and holly. This album rocks with the unmistakable John Schlitt style that legions of fans have come to know and love. The icing on the Christmas confection is an original tune, "What Christmas Needs to Be," which is destined to become a seasonal classic. 

Schlitt launches The Christmas Project with what is arguably the greatest Christian song of all time, "The Hallelujah Chorus." While Handel's masterpiece has been interpreted by a multitude of musicians over the past 250 years, no one sings "hallelujah" like Schlitt. "The Hallelujah Chorus" transitions seamlessly into a guitar-driven, barn-burning version of "Do You Hear What I Hear." "Little Drummer Boy" gives Schlitt the freedom to explore his full range of vocal prowess, starting at a muted whisper before embracing his full-throttle, wailing rock roots while holding fast to the traditional melodies of the beloved carol. Fans can look forward to a music video of "Little Drummer Boy" by the award-winning Saylors Brothers (Israel & New Breed: Live From Another Level Concert DVD) in time for the holiday season.

 Schlitt reins in his potent vocals for a gentle, reverent interpretation of "Oh Holy Night," then ratchets up the intensity on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," a rock-inflected fist-pumper that is guaranteed to get the listeners' blood flowing. The versatile vocalist shifts moods to one of pure fun with the funky Irish reel "Good Christian Men Rejoice," then slides comfortably into the mellow, bluesy "That Spirit of Christmas."

  Melancholy keys and strings embellish Schlitt's emotion-laden vocals on the traditionally arranged "We Three Kings." The gently rocking "What Christmas Needs to Be" leads into the project's closing tune, the reflective "What Child Is This." "What Child Is This" provides the perfect foil for Schlitt's signature vocal stylings, allowing him to channel his passionate delivery through a filter of awe at the enormity of this central event in history. 

Schlitt utilized the popular crowd funding platform Kickstarter to raise financial support for the new album. To purchase The Christmas Project, visit schlittshop.com. For more information on Schlitt and The Christmas Project, visit johnwschlitt.com  or follow him on Twitter (@johnwschlitt) or Facebook (facebook.com/johnwschlitt).  

My Thoughts:

"What would Christmas be without the things
We dread
What would happen if we choose to give ourselves
Instead
It’s not about the gift we're bringingIt’s more about the song we're singing"  (What Christmas Needs to Be)

Everyone has a different style of music when it comes to worshipping our Savior.  John Schlitt brings his unique style to Christmas music, and I have to say I really enjoyed this album!  Schlitt's style isn't one I choose often, but his style adds a celebratory feel to traditional Christmas music that I really loved!  What Christmas Needs to Be was my favorite on the album folowed by O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman and Good Christian Men Rejoice.  I liked the rest of the album too, but these four I kept replaying!!

If you want to pick up an album with a great celebratory feel to it, pick up John Schlitt's Christmas Project!!  You can rock your way through the entire season!!