Holiday! A Collection of Christmas Classics (2000)

Joel Caballero

13 hours ago

2 min read

Holiday! A Collection of Christmas Classics is the tenth studio and first Christmas album by American singer - songwriter Crystal Lewis, release on October 3, 2000 by Metro One/Word Distribution. Following a highly prolific year where she had already dropped Fearless in May and her Spanish compilation La Colección in August, this record took a surprising stylistic turn that delighted audiences inside and outside the CCM world.

Rather than leaning into her traditional pop/R&B production, Lewis delivered an ode to the jazz classics. The album was recorded live in the studio over three days in July 2000. It captures raw, intimate vocal takes backed by the acclaimed Peter Erskine Trio—featuring Peter Erskine on drums, Alan Pasqua on piano, and Dave Carpenter on upright acoustic bass—and is rounded out by lush string orchestration. Holiday! contains 12 traditional Christmas carols and hymns.

The album was produced by Brian Ray and Dan Garcia.

Track listing

1. Joy to the World (Isaac Watts) -4:16

2. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) -2:29

3. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram) -3:17

4. Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard, Dick Smith) -2:58

5. Go Tell It on the Mountain (traditional; arranged by Crystal Lewis and Alan

Pasqua) -3:34

6. What Child Is This (William Chatterton Dix) -5:13

7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin) -4:03

8. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) -5:18

9. Silent Night (Joseph Mohr, Franz Gruber) -4:14