In 2010 Ontario, Canada's The Proverbs released their first holiday album CHRISTMAS: OUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR. At the time, the group's roster was husband and wife Dave and Kathy Daw, and Dave's sister Karyl. Not so long ago, Karyl resigned from the group due to health concerns. Fast forward to 2018 and The Proverbs are back with HOME FOR CHRISTMAS with Dave and Kathy being joined on vocals by their daughter Natasha.
First up is the holiday classic 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' which Bing Crosby originally recorded back in 1943 with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra. The Proverbs' version here is easy listening smooth jazz in nature. It includes these sentimental lyrics: "I'll be home for Christmas/You can count on me/Please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree/Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams/I'll be home for Christmas/If only in my dreams". Dianne Wilkinson's 'That Little Baby' follows. It's a toe-tapping Southern Gospel number that shares Good News: "That little baby, He was born of virgin/He was sent down to save us and to bear every burden/He was God in the flesh so let the hallelujahs ring/That little baby is the King!" You may know the next cut, 'My Gift is Me', from The Collingsworth Family. Natasha Daw, who has Down Syndrome, sings lead on this lovely ballad of spiritual dedication: "What I have to give to You/Cannot be bought or sold/It can't be wrapped up in a box/Or tied with strings of gold/It isn't perfect and You'll see it isn't even new/But Jesus, it's the only treasure I can give to You/Me, my gift is me/All I am and all I'll ever be".
'Somethin' to Shout About' is a cheery, fast paced country song that is evangelical: "Somethin' good to shout about/Christ has come to save the lost, from sin take us out/I have good, good news to bring/Salvation through the newborn King". Next up is Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi's wonderful classic 'Christmas Time is Here', which was used in the 1965 tv special A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. This easy listening song is highly optimistic: "Snowflakes in the air, carols everywhere/Olden times and ancient rhymes of love and dreams to share/Sleigh bells in the air/Beauty everywhere/Yuletide by the fireside/And joyful memories there". Dave Barton's flugelhorn playing is great on this one!
'Merry Christmas' finds Mandy, Jovi, and Cydni Daw on background vocals. It's a bouncy pop duet between Dave and Kathy. These lyrics are pensive: "December would be dark without the Light/And there would be no Christmas without Christ/It's more than just an old cliche/It's the day that Jesus came/Merry Christmas! Merry, merry Christmas!/To all the boys and girls/Merry Christmas!" 'Shout It Out' has sort of a haunting country sound and tells a story: "There is a town called Bethlehem, an unsuspecting little place/That's where the miracle began/Another world, another day/The story talks about a star/Guided three kings from afar".
'Look Who Just Checked In' is a terrific, celebratory Southern Gospel song: "Look who just checked in/Into the barn, into the world, into the hearts of the boys and girls/Never been a baby quite like Him/Look who just checked in!" Raymond Davis penned 'From Bethlehem to Calvary', an adult contemporary ballad addressed to skeptics: "You always look for a rhyme or a reason/You don't know if you believe in the season/It's just another holiday/Who is this babe that we give adoration?/He is the Savior/The Lord of salvation and He's still the same today".
'I Love Those Jingle Bells' is a short, fun song that can help your kids with their spelling if needed: "I love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells/Those holiday J-I-N-G-L-E bells/Those happy J-I-N-G-L-E B-E, double-L-S". Closing things out is Rachel McCutcheon's 'I Choose to Be a Christian', which I am familiar with from The Erwins, a US group. It's a strong, moving song of spiritual dedication: "As this world grows darker, my lamp will be burning/Kindled with love for the One who is worthy/He gave His all, so I will give mine/I'll put my life on the line/I choose to be a Christian/I will follow Christ/Carry the cross that leads to light/I will be true, stand for my convictions/Whatever others do, I choose to be a Christian". Natasha sings lead.
Without a doubt this is the livelier of the two Proverbs Christmas albums. Six of the eleven songs are fast paced, which is nice. Southern Gospel and easy listening are the main musical genres presented, but you will also hear pop and country sounds. This record celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and praises and worships Him for bringing us salvation and freeing us from sin. There are a couple of songs about dedicating oneself to God and living for Him. Also, a couple songs are simply about enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. The harmonies, instrumentation, and album artwork and photos are all done well. This is one Christmas album you'll want to play each year. I'm rating HOME FOR CHRISTMAS 90%. For more info visit www.theproverbs.com or connect with them on Facebook. If they do a third holiday album I hope to hear 'Santa Baby' on it :)