One Silent Night~ FFH ~ Review and Giveaway

Now that Thanksgiving is over, and Advent has begun, it is time to prepare for Christmas. One of my very favorite things is to listen to Christmas music for the rest of November, and all of December~ so I was delighted to be offered the chance to review a new Christmas Album just released by the group FFH, One Silent Night.

One of the reasons that I enjoy these music reviews is that it gives me the chance to hear new (Or at any rate new to me) artists. Apparently I've been living under a rock, when it comes to these folks! Here's a little bit "about" FFH if you've been under that same rock with me....

Pop vocal group FFH has released thirteen projects, sold more than two million albums, and garnered 24 radio hits, including seven No. 1 singles and ten Top 5 radio singles. In addition to multiple Dove Award nominations, FFH has been recognized at the Inspirational Life Awards as well as the Billboard Music Video Awards. The group has performed more than 1000 dates since 2000 and continues to be a favorite on the tour circuit. FFH is also known for its work with the “Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Kurt Warner’s “First Things First Foundation,” and for its contributions to national ad campaigns for Coca Cola and IBM.

I can't say anything about their other albums, but I can say that I like this one. I think that they succeeded in their quest to produce "something that’s not trendy but more of a classic style. For us Christmas is about remembering… slowing down to see what is important. And being reminded of the glorious impossible that was the birth of Christ. We hope this album reflects that desire and inspires others to do the same.”

The more I read ABOUT FFH, and their more recent history, the more I like them and am impressed with them. They had a fairly successful career, with 200-ish concerts / year (in spite of my not hearing of FFH~ you may be getting the correct impression that I missed a lot in the decade+ since my children were born~ added to the fact that I live in New England, where CCM is difficult to find on the airwaves), and when  Jeromy and Jennifer were led to leave all that behind to minister in relative anonymity in South Africa for 6 months, they didn't hesitate.  I am so blessed when I hear stories like theirs~ where they actually have listened to God's direction, instead of their own earthly desires, and are so REAL Again, I am impressed! (Check that link out up there... you'll be blessed, too!)

What? You wanted to know more about the album? Well, OK, since that's really what I started out telling you.... ;)
The music is kind of country-jazzy~ it breathes~ I like that! :)
Here are some more specific thoughts on each song:

• Baby It's Cold Outside~ One of my very least favorite songs~ not quite sure why it was included, other than the groove(Which really IS a good groove)~ beyond that, the "message" of the song isn't something that I would expect from a Christian group, but that's just my perspective. Thankfully it isn't indicative of the rest of the songs on the album. 
• Jingle Bell Rock~ another fun, grooving sort of tune~ you can hear Jennifer smiling as she sings~
• One Silent Night~ is full of almost familiar melodies(Actually there are some definitely familiar melodies included...) ~ I really like this song~ definitely a title-worthy track! Very melodic!
• I'll be Home For Christmas~ has a very nostalgic feel~ as it should. :) lovely and slow
• The Birthday of the King~ ;) My youngest likes this particular "Boy Song" Jeromy appears to have a fan (Sorry, Jennifer, he appears to be off his "Girl Song" kick). There are once again tinges of almost familiar melodies, but it has it's own "Anthemic" identity.
• O Come O Come Emmanuel~ could almost be being sung as a lullaby~ very soft and intimate. I love the instrumentation on this song~ very old-world/ Renaissance in places. 
• Winter Wonderland~ a mix of maybe rockabilly and intimate/edgy with a little surprise ending. I can imagine Jeromy and Jennifer singing this with/to their little little girl as they kick up fresh fallen snow. Not the way *I* grew up singing the song, but kinda fun! :)
• Glorious Impossible~ I will be honest and say that this is not my favorite rendition of this song, as a performance~ however, it is a very good "Worship song" version.
• O Little Town of Bethlehem~ Soft, reverent version of a favorite carol~ nice "Background Soundtrack" for Christmas Eve,  Christmas Morning activities/festivities.
• Heaven and Nature Sing~ Love the scripture intertwined throughout the lyrics of this entire song.

Over-all, this is an eminently listenable album with some fresh songs, and some fresh takes on some older songs.

To find out more about FFH, you can connect with them on Facebook, and Twitter, as well as their website. You can purchase their music online at Itunes, in addition to other online and Brick and Mortar stores.

You can also enter to win a download of FFH's One Silent Night Album right here~ details below:

Blessings~

 






"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."