Your holiday relaxation will be complete.

That Special Time Of Year
Artists: vocalists Reggie Smith, Ladye Love Smith
Label: Gaither Music Group
ASIN: BOB945DWBD
12 Songs: Carol Medley; What Child Is This; Christmas Medley; Ordinary Baby; that Special Time Of Year; I’ll Be Home For Christmas; Let It Snow, let It Snow, Let It Snow; Silent Night; The Christmas Song; Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; O Holy Night.
Listening Length: 40 minutes 

Beginning the holiday season early, is the new CD release from Gaither Music with Reggie Smith and Layde Love Smith as vocalists. This husband/wife duo will start a tour soon, as part of the Gaither Vocal Band. You may want to check your local news to find if the group will be in your town or near it so you can see the group in person. Reggie is famous for his arrangements and vocals, while Ladye is a soprano vocalist and a top-notch cook. The term “sing for your supper” could be turned into “sing and cook supper” for this active couple. They have performed with Dolly Parton, Lee Greenwood and Patti LaBelle. This is their first album with Gaither Music. 

“That Special Time Of Year” starts the album with Reggie singing and, then Layde joining in later on vocals. “O Holy Night” is Ladye’s vocal solo and sung slow and easy, taking her time until Reggie joins her on verse two. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” is also Ladyde’s vocal solo with string interlude, then “The Christmas Song,” which is Reggie’s vocal  solo with guitar accompaniment. “An Ordinary Child” is an original song. Layde does it as a vocal solo with words of “he came to us, eyes wide opened, knew we were broken…” There is, also, a medley including “Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Away In Manger” and O Come All Ye Faithful.” My favorite from this CD is “Carol of the Bells” with grand orchestral background. 

There are Christmas vocal albums and then there are Christmas vocal albums. What to choose from? I remember several years ago with a group from Australia and unusual music instruments to traditional carols. It took time to get used to it and now is a favorite holiday CD here. Not to worry with “That Special Time Of Year,” as Reggie and Layde do the classics, plus an original song, with style and a blend of calm and clear pronunciation.  Reggie’s choice of background orchestration for each song gives each carol a different flavor, such as a shorter and bouncy “Let It Snow.”  Your holiday relaxation will be complete. 

All in all, “That Special Time Of Year” is just right to begin the holiday season with joy and music. Your holiday relaxation will be complete. 

Copyright 2022 Marie Asner