Christmas, Tony Perry (J-School)

Perry was the leader of Tony Perry 3, once a popular acoustic rock combo in the Harrisburg, Pa. area that had two previous self-released CDs to its credit. He chose to issue this 2002 Christmas album under just his own name, featuring five originals, three traditional carols, one tune each from Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, and the rest covers of songs written for the Christian pop music market -- the place where this album will be best promoted. Perry, husband of a minister in Montoursville, Pa., is a great singer and the sparse instrumental backing is well performed. Of the originals, "Only" is not overtly a Christmas song but is a solid rocker, "I'll Follow You" is a midtempo ballad that is a little more explicit, and the others are strictly religious Christmas songs, the best of which is "We Don't Talk About the Baby." The carols are straight readings, although the version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is pretty much the same arrangement done by Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan. Worthwhile, though the religious content may be too much for the more secular among us.