Music: The Soundtrack of Christmas
Christmas Music I Love
NOTE: Scroll down this page if you're looking for info on Evie and/or "Come On, Ring Those Bells!"
There are certain musical sounds that have formed the backdrop of Christmas for me...some in years past,and some in more recent years. I can remember growing up to the lilting sounds of Brenda Lee's "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"! In junior high,I was introduced by an incredible music teacher to the majesty and wonder of Handel's "Messiah." The strains of "For Unto Us a Son is Born" never fail to stir me, and I could make a good case for "The Hallelujah Chorus" being sung in Heaven!
When I was in Bible college, Evie Tornquist (scroll down for more on Evie!) was all the rage. I still enjoy Evie's "Come On,Ring those Bells"!
Years ago,my sister gave me a Christmas tape of the Oak Ridge Boys. I've since lost it, and would love to have the CD. I can remember playing it for my little sons at night while they went to sleep during the Christmas season.
Some of my favorite Christmas music is more contemporary, but several have quickly become standards in our home.
Here are a few:
For the fourth year I'm thoroughly enjoying Michael W. Smith's "Christmastime." I heartily recommend it!
No one is going to pretend Smitty is an awesome vocalist, but he is, in my opinion,a musical genius, and there is something endearing about his voice, too. The arrangements and orchestration are absolutely gorgeous as well. This is one of my very favorite Christmas albums. It is the perfect, joyous blend of the lighthearted and the reverent. Now I can't imagine the Christmas season without it.
His first Christmas album (I believe it was just titled "Christmas"), also remains a Christmas season staple for me, but it has a much different tone. The first album is more quiet and worshipful overall.
All of Amy Grant's Christmas albums are great,but my personal favorite is "Home for Christmas." It has become a seasonal classic in our home.
Also once again enjoying Point of Grace's Christmas C-D...I believe it's called "A Christmas Story." Lush, shimmery, angelic female four-part harmony, with a nice balance of the sacred and the secular.
And one of the best Christmas albums EVER...4Him's "Season of Love". I can't come up with enough superlatives for this one. . 4Him's version of "Little Drummer Boy" is one of my favorites...and "Strange Way to Save the World" is beautiful and poignant. A must-have!
Apparently Evie is still pretty popular!
I've noticed that many web-surfers who land on this page are using search words like "Evie Tornquist" and "Come On, Ring Those Bells." So, I feel duty-bound to provide a little more about Evie than I have previously!
Apparently Evie doesn't have her own website, but here are a couple of notes I picked up:
From Christianity Today's site: BEST KNOWN AS The dimple-faced recording artist of "Ring Those Bells." TODAY Evie, her husband, Pelle, and their two teenagers act as "spokesfamily" for Dominion Sky Angel, a 24-hour Christian satellite TV and radio broadcast service.
From Yahoo Shopping: This Norwegian singer made emphatic pop/inspirational albums in the '70s and '80s. She was the most popular woman in contemporary White gospel before the advent of Amy Grant and Sandi Patti. ~ Bil Carpenter, All Music Guide
And just for those of you that are searching, a link to the lyrics and guitar tabs for the ever popular "Come on, Ring Those Bells!"
By the way, year before last, Evie appeared with Mark Lowry at a concert in Rockford sponsored by Radio 91. She was doing just fine, and is still as lovely as ever.
Hope I've made Evie fans a little happier!
You can find out more about these artists at their websites:
