The Heart of Christmas (album)

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The Heart of Christmas
Studio album by
Matthew West
ReleasedOctober 4, 2011 (2011-10-04)
StudioDark Horse Recording (Franklin, Tennessee); Vibe 56 (Nashville, Tennessee).
GenreContemporary Christian music, Pop-Rock
Length48:49
LabelSparrow
ProducerBrown Bannister, Pete Kipley
Matthew West chronology
The Story of Your Life
(2010) 		The Heart of Christmas
(2011) 		Into the Light
(2012)

The Heart of Christmas is the first holiday

studio album by Christian contemporary/pop-rock musician Matthew West. It was released on October 4, 2011 through Sparrow Records. The album was produced by Brown Bannister and Pete Kipley
. The album has achieved commercial charting successes, as well as, it has garnered critical acclamation.

Background

The album released on October 4, 2011 by Sparrow Records, and it was produced by Brown Bannister along with Pete Kipley. This was the first Christmas album from Matthew West.

Music and lyrics

At

Allmusic's Jon O'Brien wrote that the release "justifies West's reputation as one of the most dependable voices in contemporary Christian pop."[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic
[4]
Alpha Omega NewsA[5]
CCM Magazine[1]
The Christian Music Review Blog[3]
Christian Music Zine[6]
Cross Rhythms[2]
Louder Than the Music[7]

The Heart of Christmas garnered critical acclaim from

Allmusic's Jon O'Brien rated it three stars, which was the only mixed review, and felt that with respect to the album it "doesn't exactly break any new ground, but it's a heart-warming affair".[4]

Track listing

The Heart of Christmas
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Come On, Christmas"
O Come, All Ye Faithful
"		–3:45
12."Day After Christmas"West6:33
Total length:48:49

Personnel

  • Matthew West – lead vocals
  • Jeff Pardo – acoustic piano (1-5, 9, 11, 12), backing vocals (1), band director
  • Pete Kipley – programming (1-5, 9, 11, 12), guitars (1-5, 9, 11, 12)
  • Tim Lauer – keyboards (6)
  • Ben Shive – acoustic piano (6)
  • Blair Masters – keyboards (8)
  • Matt Stanfield – programming (8)
  • Sam Mizell – programming (10), string arrangements (10)
  • Courtlan Clement – guitars (1-5, 9, 11, 12), backing vocals (1)
  • Tom Bukovac – electric guitars (6)
  • Jerry McPherson – electric guitars (8, 10)
  • Paul Franklin – steel guitar (6)
  • Dave Childress – bass (1, 3, 4, 9, 12), backing vocals (1)
  • Richard Brinsfield –
    upright bass
    (2, 5, 11)
  • Tony Lucido – bass (6, 8)
  • Dustin Rorher – drums (1-5, 9, 11, 12)
  • Will Sayles – drums (6)
  • Dan Needham – drums (8)
  • Eric Darken – percussion (8, 10)
  • F. Reid Shippen – percussion (8)
  • David Davidson – string arrangements (3, 5, 9), strings (10)
  • The Nashville String Machine
    – strings (3, 5, 9)
  • Joey Leverage – backing vocals (1)
  • Joel West – backing vocals (1)
  • Laura Licatta – backing vocals (2)
  • Vince Gill – backing vocals (4)
  • Amy Grant – lead and harmony vocals (8)
  • Mandisa – lead and harmony vocals (10)
  • Jerard Woods – backing vocals (11)
  • Jovaun Woods – backing vocals (11)

Production

  • Pete Kipley – producer (1-6, 9, 11, 12), recording (1-5, 9, 11, 12)
  • Brown Bannister – producer (6, 8, 10), recording (8, 10)
  • Chance Scoggins – vocal producer (10)
  • Brad O'Donnell – A&R
  • Jess Chambers – A&R administration
  • Andy Hunt – recording (1-6, 9, 11, 12)
  • Bobby Shin – recording (1-5, 9, 11, 12)
  • Steve Bishir – recording (10)
  • F. Reid Shippen – mixing (1-6, 8-12)
  • Erik "Keller" Jahner – mix assistant (1-5, 9, 11, 12)
  • Buckley Miller – mix assistant (8, 10)
  • Warren David – digital editing (1-5, 9, 11, 12)
  • Dustin Wise – digital editing (1-5, 9, 11, 12)
  • Aaron Sternke – digital editing (8, 10)
  • Bill Whittington – digital editing (8, 10)
  • Greg Calbi – mastering
  • Jan Cook – art direction
  • Matt Lehman – design
  • Reid Rolls – photography
  • Amber Lehman – stylist
  • Joel West – management
  • Mixed at Robot Lemon (Nashville, Tennessee).
  • Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York).

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak position
US Billboard 200[8] 165
US
Christian Albums (Billboard)[9]
 9

References

  1. ^ a b c Aspinwall, Grace S. (December 1, 2011). "Matthew West: The Heart of Christmas (Sparrow Records)". CCM Magazine. p. 32. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Redburn, Stella (December 23, 2011). "Review: The Heart Of Christmas - Matthew West". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Kemp, Jonathan (October 14, 2011). "Matthew West: The Heart of Christmas". Christian Music Review. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c O'Brien, Jon (October 4, 2011). "The Heart of Christmas - Matthew West". Allmusic. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Frigoli, Tom (November 25, 2011). "Matthew West - The Heart of Christmas". Alpha Omega News. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Hess, Tyler (October 4, 2011). "Matthew West – The Heart Of Christmas (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Smith, Rich (November 21, 2011). "Reviews - Matthew West - Heart of Christmas". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  8. ^ "Matthew West Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  9. ^ "Matthew West Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
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