Sandra's Country Music Site
CD REVIEW OF
SAMMY KERSHAW'S
CHRISTMAS TIME'S A COMIN'
(Polygram Records, 1994)
by Sandra L. Toney
Country music singer, Sammy Kershaw, has blessed us with many honky tonk hits over the past few years, so it was no surprise when this superstar blessed his fans with a Christmas album. Christmas Time's A Comin' is Kershaw's first attempt at a Christmas album, but he's in good company amongst other such country superstars as Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Travis Tritt, Garth Brooks, and Alabama.
Christmas and country music. It's a very nice combination. And, when Sammy Kershaw gives us his version of "countryized" Christmas, we can't help but appreciate his unique musical talents. Kershaw gives us a special treat on this Christmas album by arranging the classic song, "We Three Kings," as only Sammy Kershaw can do. He uses this song to open the album and continues it as the finale.
Other such classics Kershaw chose to sing on the album include "White Christmas," "Frosty the Snowman," "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Up on the Housetop," and "Winter Wonderland." Sammy sounds especially poignant when he croons the Christmas masterpiece, "Please Come Home for Christmas," as he believably urges his beloved in this verse, "Then won't you tell me you'll never more roam/Christmas and New Year's will find you home/There'll be no more sorrow, no grief and pain/For I'll be happy, happy once again."
The best selection on the release is a newer Christmas song, written in 1993 by Rock Killough. "Daddy Stuff," will make us all think about how rapidly childhood passes and how parenthood offers so many special moments. Kershaw brings a distinctive voice to this song, perhaps as if he's been there himself.
The song tells of a man's love for his little girl who happened to be born on Christmas day. Reflecting back on how quickly she grew up, the song's tearjerker ending will surely affect anyone who listens, "The holidays have changed a lot since you're all grown up/You're going out with the boys, polished nails and soft makeup/If I could turn the tide of time, I'd do it sure enough/I'd have my Christmas angel back and be doing Daddy stuff . . ."
You don't have to be a Sammy Kershaw fan to enjoy this Christmas album. But if you're not already a devoted follower, this album surely will make you one!
Return to Country Music Home Page