A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas
Kristin Chenoweth · 2008
43 min · 12 tracks · folk music
A vibrant collection of Christmas classics infused with jazz and pop sensibilities, showcasing Chenoweth's theatrical vocal prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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I'll Be Home for Christmas — This track captures the nostalgic essence of the season with Chenoweth's emotive delivery, making it a standout interpretation of the classic.
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Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World (feat. John Pizzarelli) — The playful arrangement and duet with John Pizzarelli combine jazz elements with holiday cheer, highlighting Chenoweth's ability to blend genres effortlessly.
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What Child Is This? — Chenoweth's hauntingly beautiful rendition brings a fresh perspective to this traditional carol, showcasing her operatic background and emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Chenoweth's vocal range but follows familiar holiday song structures without significant innovation.
What we noticed
- Chenoweth's vocal delivery varies from soft and intimate to powerful and theatrical, often using dynamic shifts within individual songs.
- Several tracks include guest musicians, such as John Pizzarelli on 'Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World', adding to the album's diverse sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- cozy holiday gatherings soundtrack
- heartfelt interpretations for nostalgia
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- warm vocals on winter evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer modern sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2008, 'A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas' was Kristin Chenoweth's first holiday album, following her successful Broadway and television career. By this time, she had already gained fame for her role in 'Wicked' and various television appearances, marking a transition into more mainstream music projects.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Audra McDonald· Lea Salonga· Kelli O'Hara
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I'll Be Home for Christmas 3:28
- 2 Christmas Island 3:11
- 3 The Christmas Waltz 2:58
- 4 Do You Hear What I Hear 4:07
- 5 Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World (feat. John Pizzarelli) 3:38
- 6 Sing 2:59
- 7 Silver Bells 4:11
- 8 Come on Ring Those Bells 3:09
- 9 What Child Is This? 4:11
- 10 Home on Christmas Day 3:58
- 11 Born on Christmas Day 4:12
- 12 Sleep Well Little Children/What a Wonderful World 3:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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