Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

With a voice that contains hints of Perry Como and Nat King Cole, popular Southern gospel artist Ivan Parker seems right at home singing Christmas songs and his latest release proves this with aplomb. Over half of the 10 tracks on offer here point towards the secular side of the season with all-American holiday songs like "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" and a supreme big band version of the aforementioned Como's "There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays" raising the feel good stakes on account of some lush arrangements and Parker's invitingly warm baritone. Elsewhere, the Gaither Homecoming stalwart momentarily tempers the holiday spirit by longing for world peace and harmony in the considered "My Grown Up Christmas List" before expertly-executed chestnuts like "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" hit the spot like some mulled wine on a bleak midwinter's night. Careful not to ignore the reason for the season, Parker offers up stirring versions of carols such as "What Child Is This" and "Angels We Have Heard On High" to point the listener back to the manger with only a strangely stilted take on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" missing the mark on this otherwise enjoyable yuletide release.

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