It's a Wonderful Christmas

It's a Wonderful Christmas
Studio album by Michael W. Smith
Released October 16, 2007
Genre Holiday, pop, instrumental
Length 39:46
Label Reunion/Sparrow
Producer Michael W. Smith, David Hamilton
Michael W. Smith chronology
Stand
(2006)
It's A Wonderful Christmas
(2007)
A New Hallelujah (2008)
Singles from It's a Wonderful Christmas
  1. "Christmas Day"
    Released: November 20, 2007
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About[1]
Allmusic[2]
BillboardMixed[3]
Jesus Freak Hideout[4]

It's a Wonderful Christmas is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. Released in October 2007, this epic album is Smith's third album of Christmas music and features four choirs and a 65-piece orchestra.[2] About half the album is instrumental pieces, including "What Child is This", "Audrey's Gift", and "It's a Wonderful Christmas". Vocal numbers such as "The Promise" and "Christmas Angels" reflect Smith's trademark personal touch and evoke his previous Christmas albums, Christmas (1989) and Christmastime (1998). Smith utilizes the full sound of the orchestra and choirs to produce an album that exudes a "mastery of the adult contemporary sound" and adds "so richly to the Christmas songbook."[2]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Michael W. Smith, except where noted. 

Album release
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Christmas Angels"    3:50
2. "It's a Wonderful Christmas"  Michael W. Smith, David Hamilton 5:05
3. "The Promise"    5:05
4. "Song for the King"    4:19
5. "Christmas Day" (featuring Mandisa)  3:20
6. "A Highland Carol"    2:18
7. "Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah"    3:40
8. "What Child Is This?"  Traditional 4:48
9. "Son of God"    2:53
10. "Audrey’s Gift"    1:49
11. "All Year Long"    2:39
Total length:
39:46

Credits

Music
Production

Reception

It's a Wonderful Christmas sold 12,759 copies in its first week, 6,000 of them digital. The album has since sold 39,000 copies.[5]

The album was a critical success, receiving 4 stars out of 5 with every critic. However, Billboard gave the album mixed reviews.

In 2008, the album won a Dove Award for Christmas Album of the Year at the 39th GMA Dove Awards.[6]

Charts

Chart Peak
position
US Billboard 200 54
US Billboard Top Christian Albums Chart 2
US Billboard Top Pop Catalog Albums 15
US Billboard Top Holiday Albums (2007) 4
US Billboard Top Holiday Albums (2010) 2

References

  1. Jones, Kim. "It's a Wonderful Christmas". Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 "It's a Wonderful Christmas". Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  3. "It's a Wonderful Christmas". Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  4. Summerford, Lauren. "It's a Wonderful Christmas". Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  5. "It's a Wonderful Christmas". Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  6. "Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards". Retrieved December 11, 2011.
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