MATTHEW WEST'S THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

Matthew West's “The Heart Of Christmas” offers a holiday-themed assortment of seasonal romantic ballads, classic nativity songs, jazzy numbers, and acoustic folk-country tunes. His warm, supple voice easily applies itself to a cozy, piano-centered version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and a lightly swinging take on “Jingle Bells.” (It makes you want to go out and romp in the snow!) “Silent Night” and “O, Holy Night” are sung with expressive reverence, while “O Come All Ye Faithful” comes decked out in a vibrant gospel arrangement.West's original tunes are a high point, ranging from the hope-filled “Give This Christmas Away” (a duet with Amy Grant), to the ebullient ’50s-style rocker “Come On, Christmas” and the gently twanging “Leaving Heaven.” The latter song is a guitar-picking, upbeat original duet with Vince Gill, and it's about Jesus leaving heaven to be born as the Son of God, being able to save us, so we can see heaven. It is a very spiritual song, but it has a si