The Gift: A Colours Christmas

Description

The Gift: A Colours Christmas is a multi-artist instrumental Christmas album released on Maranatha! Music in 1986, manufactured and distributed by Word. Released as a part of Maranatha’s Colours Instrumental Series.

The Gift: Virgin Mary. Archangel. Foretelling. Immaculate Conception. Magnificat. Joseph. Dream. Census. Bethlehem. No Room. Stable. Birth. The Christchild. Jesus. Shining Star. Shepherds. Angels. Magi. Swaddling Clothes. Manger. Nativity. Saviour. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. New Life. The Gift.

The Colours artists always show a flair for unusual arrangements while maintaining respect for the original melodies of these holidays classics. Tom Howard leads the way with three terrific tracks. «It Came upon a Midnight Clear» features a solo piano improvisation by Howard while «Bring a Torch» displays the talents of the Howard Ensemble. The most striking arrangement is heard on «What Child Is This?», also a Howard Ensemble contribution. A harp begins the piece and is soon joined by what sounds like tabla drums, recorder, and keyboards for an ethereal mix. Other outstanding tracks are «Carol of the Bells», a Jeff Lams arrangement; «Hark the Herald Angels Sing» where Smitty Price’s synth sounds like a harpsichord; and the Lams/Schreiner closing medley: «Angels We Have Heard on High»/«We Three Kings»/«God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen». These two keyboardists often contribute the most modern arrangements to Colours projects, but their musicianship and attention to detail always keep the tracks sounding great. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, December 1986]

> Apple Music
(EP: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-gift-colours-christmas-ep/292247756)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. Jeff Lams – “Carol Of The Bells” – 4:01
A2. Jeff Lams and John Andrew Schreiner – “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” – 3:30
A3. Tom Howard – “What Child Is This?” – 4:15
A4. Harlan Rogers and Smitty Price – “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring” – 3:28
A5. Tom Howard – “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” – 5:00

Side Two
B1. Harlan Rogers and Smitty Price – “The Invitation” / “O Come All Ye Faithful” – 2:46
B2. Tom Howard – “Bring A Torch” – 3:28
B3. Kenneth Nash – “Joy To The World” – 4:13
B4. Smitty Price – “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” – 3:38
B5. Jeff Lams and John Andrew Schreiner – “Angels We Have Heard On High” / “We Three Kings” / “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – 6:38

Note: Released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Maranatha! Music. Re-issued in 2001 on Maranatha’s Sanctuary series under the title Reflection.