A Christmas Album

1	The Very Best Time of the Year/It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year 4:44
2	Peace, Peace/Silent Night 4:30
3	Mary, Did You Know? 4:14
4	A Strange Way to Save the World / Twila Paris 4:33
5	A Journey to Bethlehem (A Christmas Medley) 7:58
6	O Holy Night 5:04
7	Scarlet Ribbons 3:19
8	Candlelight Carol 5:08
9	Angels We Have Heard on Hight/Joy to the World 7:37
10	All Is Well 3:57

Barnes & Noble

To prove that even phantoms know how to celebrate the Christmas season in grand style, Michael Crawford -- the man who brought life to the lead protagonist of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Phantom of the Opera -- brings all his celebrated vocal zest and fervor to his new holiday recording. Mixing beloved Christmas standards ("Angels We Have Heard on High," "O Holy Night," "Joy To the World") with contemporary songs of the season ("Mary Did You Know?," "A Strange Way to Save the World," "Scarlet Ribbons") Crawford has made a old-meets-new Christmas recording that suits the characteristic late '90s mood of nostalgia and hopefulness. Working with of-the-moment producers -- Greg Nelson, David Foster, and Michael Omartian -- gives Crawford a bright, exuberant sound perfect for the uplifting spirit of the songs. The album's centerpiece, "A Journey to Bethlehem (A Christmas Medley)," finds Crawford melding together 15 songs with effortless grace. A tasteful triumph of updated tradition, A Christmas Album has all the makings of a classic. David Cohen

All Music Guide

Michael Crawford's In the Moon of Wintertime: Christmas with Michael Crawford features holiday favorites like "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and less well-known songs such as "Strange Way to Save the World," "Scarlet Ribbons," and "Candlelight Carol." Crawford's powerful, expressive vocals make this Christmas album a must for Broadway fans. Heather Phares