For the last few years I have dreaded the arrival of the holiday season due to its over-commercialization. However, this year I am already in the Christmas mood as a result of the talent of a very special 12 year old boy. As a follow up to his outstanding debut album, "One Voice", Billy Gilman has released an album simply named "Classic Christmas", and that name says it all. His strong, clear voice brings new life to the classics like Silent Night, Away In a Manger, Angels We Have Heard On High, and my personal favorite, Oh Holy Night. Billy brings youthful enthusiasm to such upbeat numbers like Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bell Rock, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, and White Christmas. Another bright moment is a duet with English teenage star Charlotte Church performing Sleigh Ride. However, the two highlights are a pair of new songs written just for Billy. Both songs very easily could join the others as Christmas standards. Warm & Fuzzy is an upbeat, happy song that makes you feel just like its title. Billy even gets to try out some skat singing on this track. However, I've saved my final comments for my favorite selection on "Classic Christmas." There's A New Kid In Town is a wonderful new Christmas song that I will predict will be a staple of children's choirs for years to come. (I've already given a tape to my own church's children's choir.) Just buy this album, listen to this song, and I am sure you will agree. Billy Gilman's "Classic Christmas" will make you feel warm and fuzzy all over, and that is exactly what a good Christmas album should do. Thank you, Billy, for restoring my enthusiasm for the holidays!

Whew! What a talent this boy has! Billy's Christmas album is simply fantastic. He has a beautiful, angelic voice, and where better for an angelic voice than a Christmas song? Just as on his "One Voice" album, he sings with a lot of emotion. And the musical accompaniment on these songs is top notch!

Most of the songs here are traditional Christmas favorites, but there are a couple of new ones, too. "There's A New Kid In Town" (baby Jesus) is kind of country sounding and really pretty. "Warm & Fuzzy", although written for this album by two of Billy's producers (Malloy and Cook), sounds like it SHOULD be an old standard. His renditions of "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland" are superb, and "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night" are so beautiful. I think "The Christmas Song" showcases his vocal talent particularly well, as does the a cappella opening of "Angels We Have Heard On High". The livelier "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" are real toe-tappers (I especially like "Rockin"). On "Sleigh Ride" Billy sings a duet with 14-year-old classical singing sensation Charlotte Church, where they produce some excellent harmony.

So who better to sing a Christmas song than a child? Especially a child whose vocal skills are on a par with the very best adult singers. Unless you are a grinch or something, you will love this album. It certainly deserves to be in your Christmas collection!

Every year, I find myself on the hunt for new albums to add to my Christmas collection. This year, I happened upon a new brilliant voice by chance while listening to another seasonal album. To me, Billy Gilman is the voice of the season. With the purity of his voice, he has blended traditional tunes with his country inflection and it has produced an endearing and memorable Christmas album.

Gilman is a true talent with his pure and resonant voice which is strong and charming. He is another child prodigy on the rise and he amply displays this with some new songs as well. "Warm and Fuzzy" is a swingy and catchy song whose lyrics capture the holiday atmosphere almost as well as the timeless "Christmas Song". In addition, Gilman pierces the heart with the song "There's a New Kid In Town", a song that speculates on the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. And Welsh talent, Charlotte Church joins him in a duet in "Sleigh Ride" which blends the two extraordinary voices which sound unexpectedly beautiful when conjoined. Gilman doesn't just stun his audience with new songs, he belts out his traditional tunes in an engaging manner and really brings back the magic of a season which has become more associated with commerce as the years pass. Grab this album and enjoy the holidays with this young artist whose voice transcends the projection of retailers and draws you closer to the heart of the holidays.

Billy Gilman is a voice to listen to. He has great range and tone. This is one young man that has nowhere to go but up. Look for his new CD coming out on April 15th.

Billy Gillman has the most wonderful voice..and every song on this album is A+. This is the first time I have bought a Christmas CD, and I tell you what..couldn't have picked a better one! Although, I hate to admit, I kinda KNEW I wasn't going to be disappointed!! He has such a powerful vioce, for those of you that MAY be thinking "I don't know if I want a "KIDS" CD"..BELIEVE me he has the power of Celine Dion in those little lungs of his! This CD is a must have for anyone looking for great, classic Christmas songs. O Holy Night gave me the chills! So So Powerful!