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It's the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and Point of Grace makes it even better with their second Christmas album Winter Wonderland. The aforementioned song is the first track from their seasonal disc and somehow the foursome of Shelley Breen, Heather Payne, Denise Jones and newcomer Leigh Cappillino has come up with a song reminiscent of choral productions by the legendary King Family.

Years from now when the ladies of Point of Grace are rocking grandchildren in their arms this may very well be the album we all remember them for. Winter Wonderland has holiday classic written all over it. 

When you open this Christmas package you are going to be blessed with the versatility, imagination and true four part harmonies that adorn this project. In a recent interview Heather Payne gave credit to Tim Davis  for coaxing the best vocal harmonies from the ladies. She says, "He is a master at that kind of music."

Brown Banister acted as producer and Steve Bishir did a wonderful job of mixing Point of Grace vocals and studio instrumentals with the sounds of the London Session Orchestra and the Philadelphia Boyschoir and Chorale.

John David Webster guests on "Let There Be Light"  a new offering from the pens of Scott Krippayne and Marie Reynolds. The song features an incredible synthesizer introduction by Michael J. Nelson. This is an uplifting Christmas carol that should find it's way onto future CCLI charts during the Christmas season.

The last time James Pierpont's "Jingle Bells" sounded this much fun I was riding on a one horse open sleigh-­true story. In Andrews Sisters fashion, Point of Grace brings a jovial spirit and a touch of the "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" sound to a song that should be a lot of fun to sing. Unless you are in your sixties or older I doubt anyone reading this review has heard "Jingle Bells" sung in this fashion. Sung with gusto and excellence this is the best modern day rendition of "Jingle Bells" that I have heard. 

The emotionally stirring "Breath of Heaven" originally authored by Amy Grant more than a decade ago puts you in the middle of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. We often forget that Mary was no more than a young teenager. The arrangements for this track compliment the doubts and fears of a young woman, "I am waiting / In a silent prayer/  I am frightened / By the load I bear / In a world as cold as stone / Must I walk this path alone / Be with me now / Be with me now /."

Recreating the standard "All Is Well" Heather Payne's vocals combine nicely with guest pianist Michael W Smith to remind us that God is still in control in a world that has been savaged by so many natural disasters this past year.

The ladies are at their frolicking best singing a medley of children's tunes "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Once again they capture the sounds of an era I am too young to remember when they were in vogue but like you have heard over the years.

By Joe Montague, exclusive rights reserved

Joe Montague is an internationally published journalist / photographer. His ministry is dedicated to the memory of his late son Kent David Montague who went to heaven at the age of 18. All copyright and distribution rights remain the property of Joe Montague. 

Rich, retro orchestration and, alternately, swingingly jazzy vibes redolent of a stack of Andrew Sisters 78s are in full effect and fully effective. "Santa Medley," incorporating not only jolly ol' St. Nick but his red-nosed reindeer and a meltable dude named Frosty, jostles between both of those flavors. 

That said, this isn't the most sacrosanct of Yuletide albums. The titular ditty, "Jingle Bells" and "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" don't necessarily stress the reason for the season. They do, however, do give the gals some dexterous harmonic workouts. 

The more sacred selections don't lack for imagination. A spin on Amy Grant's "Breath Of Heaven" works so well because the Point'er sisters give it a reading more fittingly girlish than Vince Gill's other half managed. A collaboration with John David Webster, "Let There Be Light" transcends holiday sentiment as has "Mary, Did You Know." 

"In The First Light" sounds a touch too sweet for a song that connects Christ's earthly birth with the death He came to die. And a run through "For Unto Us" from Handel's Messiah sounds like reach exceeding grasp a bit, even with an assist from The Philadelphia Boys Choir.

Overall, though,Wonderland reaffirms my positive impression of the foursome who have become the CCM subculture's collective everywoman. And if I'm a wimp for saying so, I'll deal. 

Jamie Rake  11/30/2005

Point of Grace has been making music for more than thirteen years taking their tight harmonies all across the nation with an amazing string of #1 hits on radio.  Recent years have seen them start up the "Girls of Grace" conferences to minister to teen girls and release a CD, journal, and more products related to"Girls of Grace."  2004 saw one of their longtime members leave and a dear friend join the group.  Through it all, the women have become known for their tight harmonies and smooth, simple vocals.  

1999 saw the women of Point of Grace release A Christmas Story, their first album.  Welcome to 2005 and the ladies second Christmas project, Winter Wonderland.  This project is a traditional one full of traditional arrangements and beautiful instrumentation.  The album opens with a beautiful symphony leading into a traditional arrangement of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."  A Big band feel continues with the second track, the title track "Winter Wonderland."  Once again the women of Point of Grace stick with a traditional arrangement, which will no doubt please many fans.  The third track, "Let There Be Light" features guest vocals by new artist, John David Webster.  This is one of the album's few original songs and has more of a contemporary feel to it than the rest of the project.  This is a track that is begging to be played on the radio.  Providing a bit of variety, the women throw in a bit of acapella to open up "Jingle Bells" before going with more of a jazzy  feel for the song.

Other highlights on this album include their cover of "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)," the acapella "In the First Light, and the quiet closer "All is Well."

The women of Point of Grace have been putting out music for more than thirteen years based around their tight harmonies so it is no surprise that their new Christmas project would feature them as well.  They stick to traditional arrangements and versions of the songs.  They do manage to keep things interesting mixing in some big band songs with some jazz, some acapella, and some contemporary songs.

This is a Christmas album that people will be pulling out each year. 

Burton Wray December 15, 2005