Description
For Unto Us is a Christmas album by the American singer, songwriter, and violinist Jean Watson, self-released on Shadowlands Music in October 2019, distributed to retail by Elevate Entertainment. The album was produced by Billy Smiley of White Heart fame for Northern Shore Productions. A delightful collection of traditional and contemporary carols featuring guest artists Phil Keaggy, Russ Taff, and David Meece, as well as Matt Slocum of Sixpence None The Richer fame.
Album Notes
“For Unto Us” was an unexpected gift to me – I got to sing some of my favorite Christmas songs with some incredible musicians and guest artists! Russ Taff, David Meece, and Phil Keaggy all made guest appearances. What a thrill to work with Phil again and to meet Russ and David for the first time.
Some of this music was recorded at the iconic Sound Kitchen in the Nashville area, while we recorded other songs as an ensemble at The Castle in Franklin, Tennessee. We created the music together as a group which was a brand new, exciting experience for me. The result: a vibrant, creative Christmas experience that does not sound artificial or contrived.
I always say each new CD is my ‘favorite’ but I am over-the-top ecstatic about this one! Some tracks are mystical and pensive, others are joyful and exuberant, and a few are fun and “folksy”. The centerpiece of the album is a new song I wrote entitled, «Unto Us (Emmanuel)».
After my first concept meeting with producer Billy Smiley, he encouraged me to write a song to finish the project. I told him if I was to write a song, it would be from the perspective of the shepherds. What would it be like to encounter the presence of God first hand? Not only that, the shepherds were invited to come to the manger just as they were – tired, dirty, and the lowest of the low in their culture. As I drove home from Nashville to Michigan that day, words came to mind inviting us to do the same:
“Come all you weary ones and seek Him.
In a stable filled with hay you will find rest
You who are broken, kneel beside Him
There is healing in the holy Baby’s breath…”Instead of Christmas being just a holiday we celebrate or a historical event we remember, the song «Unto Us (Emmanuel)» challenges us to come to Jesus today, just as we are, and receive his healing, powerful love.
My hope is that in all this music, the listener will be delighted by the fresh approach to Christmas songs both old and new. Even more than that, may we will all encounter more of the wonderful love of Christ laid in a manger “For Unto Us”! – Jean Watson
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/for-unto-us/1484913664)
CD tracklist:
01. Joy to the World – 2:51
02. Unto Us (Emmanuel) – 4:36
03. The Cherry Tree Carol – 3:16
04. What Child Is This (feat. Russ Taff) – 4:10
05. Carol of the Bells / God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – 3:54
06. The Little Drummer Boy – 3:34
07. In the Bleak Midwinter – 4:15
08. The Wexford Carol – 3:37
09. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella – 2:51
10. One Small Child (feat. David Meece) – 3:21
11. Silent Night – 3:11
“Carol of the Bells in Northern Ireland” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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