The featured show of the holiday season for Yuletide Blend is at the Danson.  Not only can you enjoy a fantastic evening of music, but also enjoy fantastic food at the Dansen Restaurant in Claremont.  Be sure to get your reservations as soon as possible, because the Dansen show fills up fast.

If you would like to book a Yuletide Blend concert at your venue, write to booking@yuletideblend.com.

December 2009 Shows

December 4, 2009
Private Party Concert
Brea, CA

December 10, 2009
The Danson
109 Yale Ave
Claremont, CA 91711.
Call (909)621-1818. for reservations
Two shows:  6pm & 8pm
*It is recommended that you make reservations as soon as possible.  Space is limited and this date is filling up fast!

December 13, 2009
Hillside Community Church
5354 Haven Ave
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737
(909)980-2191
Two shows:  5:30 pm & 7 pm
Tickets $5.00 available at Hillside

December 17, 2009
Seacoast Grace Church
5100 Cerritos Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630
6:30pm

For almost ten years, I have been listening to and reviewing CDs in my job here at Worshipmusic.com. In that time, I have listened to thousands of CDs, liked a few hundred, and have reviewed dozens of projects. I’ll be honest, I am not a traditional Christmas music lover. Assuming that the fundamentals of good music are included in a CD, after that I find that I am looking for freshness and creativity, inspiration and contrition in music.

So when I think about Christmas, I don’t usually get excited. I am not one of those guys who is excited to sing carols with the family or anything. Still, in the last few years, I have begun to appreciate the depth of truth and community that come with the tradition of many of the Christmas songs of our faith. So that is the place I found myself at when I started listening to the new Christmas project titled “Yuletide Blend”.

Produced by veteran worship leader and song writer, Terry Butler, along with CCM acclaimed producer Smitty Price, “Yuletide Blend” is simply the best Christmas project I have ever heard. It is a wonderful mixture of sparkling instrumental expression, brilliant arrangements, excellent song selection and perfectly spaced occasional vocals. The majority of the songs are presented as instrumental renditions that live up to everything perfect you think of when you hear the word “blend”. Mixing large symphonic swells with gentle classical guitar, to radiant full band songs with world class electric guitar solos this CD is a surprise of joy right from the first bells chimes of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” to the last chorus of “Silent Night”.

Along the way you will find some of the very best favorite traditional Christmas songs, along with a selection of 3 contemporary Christmas worship songs that you will want to begin singing every Christmas. I could rant on about the notable musical talent used on this CD, but I won’t spoil the latte by telling you what spices where added here.

have already played this CD through a couple of dozen times and I still love it each time through. Unlike most Christmas music that grows weary quickly on the ears, this project lifts you up and doesn’t stumble at any point. Not only is this one of the best CDs I have ever heard, but I am awarding it an Editor’s Choice for changing my mind about Christmas music. Thanks, Terry and Smitty, for brewing up a truly is a great “blend” for Christmas! Amazing! I can’t recommend this CD enough to you- I highly encourage you to check it out!

Review by Kim Gentes
kimgentes.com | worshipmusic.com
Kim Gentes is president of WorshipMusic.com and also a worship leader at Vineyard Community Church-Gilbert, AZ.

Two shows: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM

Home Brew is located at 661 W. Arrow Highway – iBehind the Shell Station and Zendejas Mexican Restaurant on the southwest corner of Arrow Hwy & Bonita Ave. Phone # – (909) 394-1964

SUNDAY, DEC 14, 2008
Vineyard Community Church
|Pomona, CA
7:00 PM

Vineyard Community Church
2801 N Towne Ave
Pomona, CA
(909) 621-6837
www.vineyardpomona.org

Having listened to this CD over a dozen times already I must say that the instrumental songs are the highlights for me. With one exception, Christmas is Here by Vince Guaraldi. Most of you may not know who Vince Guaraldi is but you will know this tune from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Truthfully, I never really liked the song very much. Terry and Smitty did this song so very right by bringing in the magnificent Linda McCrary. Her vocals have single-handedly brought this song from the bottom ten of my Christmas list to the top ten. The warmth and expression of her vocals brings this song alive. If you didn’t like it before you will now, if you loved it before you will love it even more now.

Another surprise was The Little Drummer Boy. I was a little taken aback, at first, when I heard a drum solo in the song. The initial shock was quickly abated by the worshipfulness of Gregg Bissonnette’s drumming. You can truly hear his heart for God joining the celebration of Christ’s birth when he plays. Fear not, it is not a Bonham drumming extravaganza. It is tastefully performed and will draw in even the faintest of hearts.

Glory To God by Terry Bulter and Brenton Brown is a wonderful addition to this blend. Having heard this song so many times over the years I had never thought of it as a Christmas song, until now that is. I would not be surprised if it becomes a regular part of Christmas worship services in churches throughout the world.

The magnificence of guitarist Shawn Tubbs prevails throughout We Three Kings Of Orient Are, creating a soothing, worshipful landscape of sound. This is also true of Mary’s Song of Joy where Nicole Kamae’s vocals add a sweet touch of innocence to this beautiful song written by Terry Bulter.

The CD culminates with a musical rendition of Silent Night, which concludes this blend of Christmas worship. Yultide Blend brings us Christmas – add this CD to you collection, you won’t regret it.

Purchase through ION WORSHIP or visit www.yuletideblend.com.

Available at WorshipMusic.com.

Now available on iTunes.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 13 January 2008 )
REVIEW – Yuletide Blend Print E-mail
Written by Editor
Monday, 26 November 2007

Original Review can be found at:
http://www.kingdomrain.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=303&Itemid=32
Yuletide Blend: Songs for Christmas