Hallmark Gold Crown Stores are offering country music fans and connoisseurs of traditional Christmas music a special treat this holiday season. Customers can purchase George Strait's Fresh Cut Christmas when they also buy three Hallmark cards. The album contains ten traditional holiday tracks, handpicked by Strait, and will be sold alongside a special line of George Strait "Oh Christmas Tree" cards.
The best quality of George Strait is his recognizable voice, clearly and emotively hitting every note. One of the most prominent examples is on "We Three Kings." The musical mix of orchestration, a country fiddle, and slide guitar is a simply beautiful background to his rich voice.
For a more fun and upbeat dose of holiday cheer, there is the delightful "Up on the House Top." Again with the fiddle, this time accented with sleigh bells, piano, and Strait's cheerful delivery. "Jingle Bells" has that same fun flavor and is one the kids can enjoy just as much as the adults. My particular tastes lean toward the old hymns. "Old Come All Ye Faithful," "Hark The Harold Angels Sing," and "Joy to The World" are just three tracks where Strait is able to really shine, showing both his range and charm.
What is both endearing and a bit disappointing about the collection is the lack of anything original. While it makes every track recognizable and full of memories of Christmas past, it would have been nice to hear Strait sing something new, something written for this collection. But even without that, this collection will be a welcome addition to your holiday music collection.
Stait's long and illustrious career has included 33 platinum or multi-platinum albums and 70 million records sold. This month, he will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the second artist to be honored in the Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present category. He also holds the record for the most Country Music Award nominations – 73 – and was named their Vocalist of the Year five times. This year, he scored his 53rd number one song, "Give It Away," becoming the only country music artist to have so many chart topping hits.
Hallmark CDs are sold exclusively at nearly 4,000 Hallmark Gold Crown stores. A Fresh Cut Christmas is available for a limited time and can be purchased for $7.95 when you also buy three Hallmark greeting cards. The collection is one you can enjoy for many years to come and will serve as great background music, whether you're trimming the tree or entertaining friends this holiday season.
Article comments
1 - Joan Hunt
I go through periods when George Strait is my best friend, and some when I can't stand another note from him. It's a curious thing, isn't it?
I don't know if I this is a CD for me, but a trip to Hallmark should help me make up my mind.
My favorite country artist offering a Christmas CD is John Barry. Hands down, he has the ultimate version of "Oh Holy Night" -- his voice so clear and true. It brings tears to my eyes, chills to my being. It's simply the most beautiful recorded version I've yet to find.
2 - Connie Phillips
Hi Joan,
It's a nice CD. I have a little bit of George Strait's music in my collection. He's pretty synonymous with pure country music - for good or for bad.
3 - Jenni
I don't care what anyone says, George is awesome.
I have his other two Christmas CD's, but this is my fave. His voice is just perfect giving our classic christmas songs a little bit of country flavor. If you don't have this CD you need to seriously get it, you'll love it. Though i'm completely biased since i adore him- he could sing the phone book and i'd think it was the best thing out there. merry christmas!!!!