Garth Brooks - Beyond The Season 320cbr (Big Papi) 1991 Christmas Music

Garth Brooks is (needless to say) one of the biggest stars ever in music. His record sales are (again needless to say) up there with Elvis, The Beatles and Elton John.

This album reached the top 3 back in Christmas 1992 and was still in the charts in the summer of 1993!! It's no surprise. This has to be one of the greatest Christmas CD's ever recorded.

The album opens with "Go Tell It On The Mountain", a story about the first ever Christmas, Brooks gives it his best shot and it works really well.

Oddly enough this album was recorded in July of 1993 in order to get it ready in time for Christmas. In an interview Brooks said he and his band put festive decorations up in the studio to make it feel like it was actually Christmas. This probably helped the sound of the album, such as the next two songs "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (an old Christmas classic) and "The Old Man's Back In Town" (an original Garth Brooks written Christmas tune) that is about another of the worlds most famous men - Santa Claus.

"The Gift" is a story of when Jesus was young, and about how people bring him gifts and the main focus is on a poor orphan girl, who ends up bringing a gift fit for the king of kings. It may sound corny, but it works really well and it is Christmas after all, so it's allowed.

The next track is "Unto You This Night". This is probably my favorite cut on the album if only for Garth's singing. He performs at his best and puts his heart and soul into this song. Backed by a gospel choir, this is very, very seasonal.

Next up, is one of the most popular songs of the season. "White Christmas". It is also one of the most covered songs of all-time. The first version was by Bing Crosby and since that time it has been recorded by almost everyone in the business from Kenny Rogers and Elvis Presley, to Orville The Duck and New Kids On The Block!

Garth's rendition of this song is first rate and even features an Elvis-like impersonation (at the very, very end), however, mostly it is pure Garth.

"The Friendly Beasts" is a story about the animals of the world recalling the story of Jesus as we get to hear various band members and co-songwriters vocal duet with Garth. This is a very interesting track, though probably not the best.

"Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" (written by Country legend, Buck Owens) is kinda Rock N Roll. It's a nice look through a young kids eyes when he sees who he thinks is Santa putting out presents on the night before Christmas. ("Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy, Or Daddy looks a lot like him. It's not the way I had him pictured, Santa was much too thin").

The next track is "Silent Night", another one of the most popular Christmas songs and/or hymns ever. Brooks once again does a great version and even included is a recollection of his favorite Christmas. (Spoken during an instrumental break).

Mary's Dream is a 60 second instrumental (short but sweet) that then takes us to the final song, "What Child Is This". Another story of Jesus' birth and another favorite of the season.

All in all, you can't go wrong with this CD. A must for all fans of Garth, Country Music, Christian music and Christmas music.