Santa Will Find You! (Painted Red, 2018)
Chely Wright
Reviewed by Dan MacIntosh
The title track was written with military personnel in mind. Santa Claus will reach military men and women no matter how remotely they may be stationed. The lyric applies universally, though, as Wright sings over an orchestrated arrangement: "If you're worried at all that you may be forgotten," which is followed by a chorus that assures, "Santa will find you wherever you are." It's a pretty song that sounds a little like an Aimee Mann ballad. "Christmas Isn't Christmas Time (Spector Version)" is a beautiful ballad with a Wall of Sound, Spector-esque arrangement. Wright also includes a jazzy, poppy song called "It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)," which works because it's a bit of a change of pace.
Wright's seasonal release likely won't thrill country music traditionalists much. This is a pop album, created by a country singer. It's not, though, a six-pack of country Christmas songs. With that said, though, Wright put both her head and her heart into making one fine little set of songs.
CDs by Chely Wright
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