Marie Osmond records long-awaited Christmas CD
CD Review
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Miss "Paper Roses" herself, Marie Osmond, released her first Christmas album last month.

"The Magic Of Christmas," on the HiFirecord label, includes 15 cuts.

She recorded a similar holiday album on vinyl 26 years ago with her entire family.

The 48-year-old gained popularity recently with her appearance on Dancing With The Stars television show.

In her liner notes Marie says Christmas has always been magical and that she loves everything about it.

Born Olive Marie Osmond in Ogden, UT, in 1959, she was raised in a strict Mormon family along with her eight brothers.

She made her first TV appearance at the age of three, when her oldest brothers performed on The Andy Williams Show as the Osmonds.

After spending the '60s as variety-show fixtures, the Osmonds shot to pop stardom in 1970, and before long the group's management encouraged Marie to try her hand at recording as well.

Marie's soft chanting voice is evident on the first cut of "The Christmas Song."

Donny joins her on "When Christmas Comes Around."

It's followed by "Angels We Have Heard On High," Away In A Manger." Son Stephen sings harmony on "Season of Season's."

The remaining songs include "Christmas Lullaby," "The Gift Of Love," "Hark The Herald Ångels Sing," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "The Locket" which features all of her brothers, "Christmas In The Country," "It's Christmas Once Again," "O Holy Night," "The Secret Of Christmas," "The Lord's Prayer," "True Love" and finally a jazzed up version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."

While Marie still has her voice, it's too commercial sounding.

The CD can be purchased from several internet music website including her own at marieosmond.com.