christmas sessions christmas sessions christmas album american christian rock band album produced released september band greatly enjoy christmas previously recorded christmas songs enjoyed process wanted produce length album releasing studio album early decided time realized record christmas album period began work december band aiming produce rock oriented album recruited noted rock producer produce addition original song joseph album consists covers modern traditional christmas songs band members listened growing release christmas sessions received positive reviews critics praise offered album production qualities change direction band traditional songs minor criticism directed lead vocalist vocals individual songs album reached peak number chart number holiday albums chart number billboard multiple songs album appeared record charts including joseph peaked number christian songs chart god rest merry gentlemen little drummer boy appeared chart peaking numbers respectively silent night reached peak number adult contemporary chart background recording according lead vocalist band enjoys christmas season greatly recorded songs compilation albums like wow christmas green liked process taking older christmas songs altering said band fun found wishing christmas record band released studio album early decided time realized record christmas album period started rock band associated adult contemporary genre single imagine successful creating christmas sessions band incorporated elements rock music genres described rock album noted concern album direction saying didn worry direction went record wanted began recording album christmas finishing touches following summer band brought rock producer previously recorded albums artists like produce christmas sessions studio album utilize rock sound selecting songs christmas sessions band wanted cover christmas songs grown write record original song joseph initially written mary changed lyrics key suggestion wife noted male odd singing perspective mary opposed joseph composition christmas sessions described rock pop rock album influences country jazz noted came midnight clear described stadium rock song incorporating musical elements similar rock bands power ballad described similar sound angels heard high modifying melody song chorus god rest merry gentlemen utilizes arrangement sounds tailored super bowl halftime song little drummer boy begins rock oriented opening transitioning power ballad form medley songs described similar mix band beatles christmas time uses brass instruments arrangement similar chicago area bands silent night features singing background vocals described having country country pop arrangement away instrumental piece simple arrangement joseph album original song described influenced portraying night jesus birth night ballad arrangement features piano string instruments critical reception christmas sessions received positive reviews music critics allmusic gave album stars praising album overall rock tone anderson offered small criticism concerning vocal delivery saying bit criticizing country sound silent night ill advised praised band version heard bells christmas day gave album stars praised album diverse sound described band influences songs little obvious stated clearly improving band awarded album squares stating album exceeded expectations described album fresh sounding felt album mix older newer christmas songs wide appeal jesus freak hideout gave album stars praising album outstanding feeling use instruments like trumpet songs stand comparison renditions new_york_times praised album calling year enjoyable holiday cds felt band musical changes traditional songs showed care reception christmas sessions released september debuted number chart number billboard album reached peak number christian albums chart number billboard debuted peaked number holiday albums chart christmas sessions ranked best selling christian album album spawned number charting songs songs joseph god rest merry gentlemen little drummer boy charted inside chart peaking number respectively came midnight clear holy night silent night christmas tree appeared chart silent night peaked number adult contemporary chart christmas tree joseph god rest merry gentlemen charting format track listing personnel credits credits taken allmusic charts
The Christmas Sessions