from The Morning Call
Posted by John J. Moser on December 18, 2009
DAVID ARCHULETA
“CHRISTMAS FROM THE HEART”
(JIVE RECORDS)
David Archuleta’s “Christmas from the Heart” is exactly that: an expression of love for the holiday that comes from deep in the soul.
This is no fun, frosty holiday cheer disc, and certainly no toss-off yuletide money grab. It’s a deeply serious but astonishingly uplifting examination of the birth of Christ through music.
That an “American Idol” contestant would even attempt a project like this is surprising. It would be unthinkable for David Cook or Kris Allen or Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson.
That Archuleta succeeds so smashingly is nothing short of astonishing. His voice is full, rich and precise. He lifts songs that have long been diluted by lesser performances to their classic levels.
In fact, most everything about the disc is classical. On a lovely, wonderful “Angels We Have Heard on High,” he slips into a “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” that would thrill any audience of Bach Choir. On other tracks, he sings in Spanish, Latin and French. He even masters the difficult “Ave Maria” by the end of the disc, aided by the Salt Lake City Children’s choir.
Adding to the gravitas is backing by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra on most tracks. And his tenor is up to the task. When his pop career ends, he could easily take his place in popular classical shows.
This is an album meant to be absorbed in a quiet, contemplative place — where its gift of a voice and music that touches, as the title suggests, the heart can be fully appreciated.
But Archuleta is such an engaging pop presence – his song “Crush” was a welcome addition to the pap filling radio these days – that it would be almost disheartening if he abandons that career track so soon (he turns 19 this month).
Thankfully, the disc concludes with a lighter song, “Melodies of Christmas” that Archuleta helped write and which still warms the heart even though it far more pop.
MunkFOD (4)
☆♪josselyn ... (3)
archiefandoc (3)
Thank you Mr. Moser for this wonderful review of David Archuleta’s ablum. David’s album is the best Album I have ever heard. He really does tell the true meaning of Christmas. His voice touches my heart. I was at the Stroudsburg show and everything you said about it is true. He is an amazing performer and his voice jost fills the theater. BJC(Quote)
A good review that recognizes a true artist even at a very young age. In the future, the title American Idol runner-up will fade and many music lover will just remember David Archuleta, the Voice and the true artist Au(Quote)
This is quite a glowing review! It’s nice to read that this music critic had so many positive things to say about David’s album. I’m not sure why he thinks the approach taken with David’s Christmas CD is so surprising for someone from “American Idol,” and I also don’t think that it was necessary for him to suggest that none of the other singers he mentioned could do a fine job with similar projects. (For example, I can imagine very nice Christmas albums from Carrie Underwood and Kris Allen, myself.) I must say that I really appreciated the reviewer’s comment regarding David’s potential to succeed as a more classical singer, since I just said here a few days ago that I would love it if David would pursue that type of music. (Of course, Mr. Moser then expressed hope that David won’t leave the pop music behind too soon. He probably has nothing to worry about in that regard, but I wouldn’t be upset with the kind of career shift about which he was speculating.
) While it’s nice that the reviewer appreciated David’s singing on the CD, I think it’s great that he also called the album “uplifting” and said that it “touches…the heart.” Those are some really fine compliments, indeed! 
B in Wisconsin(Quote)