Sparrow Records artist Steven Curtis Chapman has been doing a lot of teaming up lately especially doing projects with Christmas themes. Partnering up with Family Christian Stores, Chapman promoted the Barnabus Bear with proceeds going to The James Fund and Chapman’s Shaohannah’s Hope Foundation. For his Christmas album, Chapman joined with Hallmark to produce six news songs on “Christmas Is All In the Heart,” which will be made available only at Hallmark Gold Crown stores.

His partnerships may be new this year but the six songs from this year’s holiday album sure aren’t. There were six delightful news songs Chapman sang on the CD but the other six songs were just taken from his other Christmas album, The Music of Christmas. If the songs sound last century it is because they are. The Music of Christmas was released in 1996! Juxtaposing songs laced with his artistic style now with songs he sang 7 years ago does the album a disfavor.

However, Chapman’s six new songs include renditions of traditional holiday favorites that make up for the awkward arrangement. “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Silver Bells,” and “Winter Wonderland,” are among the few classics that get me in the spirit for Christmas. My personal favorite is “Winter Wonderland” which has a guitar accompaniment that makes this song sound like something that would be played by the fireplace. This album is something that will do the job of warming up your heart and is still worth to buy for collectors and fans.

Album tracks include:

Christmas Is All in the Heart *

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Silver Bells

Winter Wonderland

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

O Little Town of Bethlehem

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

O Come O Come Emmanuel *

Silent Night / Away in a Manger / O Holy Night (medley) *

This Baby * / “What Child Is This?”

O Come All Ye Faithful *

Going Home for Christmas*

(* indicates songs from Chapman’s 1996 The Music of Christmas album)