Michael Dowdle - A Sacred Christmas
Joyspring Records (1987)

Utah's Michael Dowdle has spent a lot of his time creating soundtracks for TV shows on the big networks and this 1987 Christmas album has a somewhat background feel to it. That's not to say that it's bad - let's just say it's more atmospheric than most of the 'A' list Christmas albums. A Sacred Christmas is a clean, uncluttered thoughtful buffet of Christmas tunes it just doesn't stand out as much as some of the others out there. Dowdle's Solo guitar renderings are warm and delicate but the album becomes a bit predictable without much improvisation which Dowdle is more than capable of. Drawing heavily on only well knows classics like 'O Holy Night,' 'Silent Night' and 'Ave Maria' the album has a bit of a cookie-cutter feel. An album of wordless chorus's has to have something that gives it life or at least makes it stand out. In spite of this albums warmth there is still something missing. - John Beaudin