Album: Joy: A Holiday Collection

Introduction
"Joy: A Holiday Collection" is a Christmas album by American singer-songwriter Jewel, launched on November 2, 1999. Produced by Arif Mardin, the album includes a variety of holiday-themed songs, including conventional Christmas carols and hymns, in addition to initial structures by Jewel herself. It was her very first vacation album and quickly became a best-seller, being accredited gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and peaking at number 32 on the Billboard 200 chart. "Joy: A Holiday Collection" showcased Jewel's versatile voice, with the singer using various musical styles throughout the album.

Track Listing
The album consists of 13 tracks, recording the essence of the holiday and showing Jewel's unique take on traditional Christmas songs. The tracklist consists of:

1. "Joy to the World"
2. "O Holy Night"
3. "Silent Night"
4. "Winter Wonderland"
5. "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
6. "Ave Maria"
7. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
8. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
9. "Face of Love"
10. "Go Tell It on the Mountain"
11. "I Wonder as I Wander"
12. "Gloria".
13. "Hands" (Christmas variation).

Range of Musical Styles
"Joy: A Holiday Collection" showcases Jewel's flexibility as an artist, as she checks out various musical designs throughout the album. From the basic and lovely acapella plan of "Silent Night" to the jazz-infused rendition of "Winter Wonderland", Jewel's voice captures the spirit of the holiday. The album likewise features a bluegrass-inspired variation of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and a country-flavored cover of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", even more highlighting her musical variety.

Initial Compositions
In addition to the traditional Christmas carols, "Joy: A Holiday Collection" consists of two initial structures by Jewel. "Face of Love" is a tender ballad going over the true significance of Christmas, concentrating on love and compassion, while "Gloria" commemorates the spiritual aspect of the holiday. These initial tracks show Jewel's songwriting skill and add an individual touch to the album.

Special Editions and Re-releases
In addition to the original release of "Joy: A Holiday Collection", the album saw numerous scandal sheets and re-releases. In 2001, a special version of the album was released, consisting of a benefit track - a performance of "The Christmas Song". A minimal edition, numbered version of the album entitled "The Complete Holiday Collection" was provided through Jewel's fan club and website, featuring a second CD including 3 additional tracks, interviews, and a behind-the-scenes video. In 2013, a digital-only "Joy: A Holiday Collection (Deluxe Edition)" was released, featuring the 2001 reward track and Jewel's 2012 single, "Merry Go Round".

Vital Reception and Commercial Success
"Joy: A Holiday Collection" got normally positive evaluations from music critics, who applauded Jewel's singing performances and the album's mix of standard and original tunes. The album was an industrial success, peaking at number 32 on the Billboard 200 chart, and it has actually since been accredited gold by the RIAA.

In conclusion, "Joy: A Holiday Collection" is a stunning and sincere Christmas album by Jewel, successfully mixing conventional carols with initial compositions in numerous musical styles. The album has successfully stood the test of time, remaining a favorite amongst fans and continuing to bring warmth and Joy to the holiday season.

Artist: Jewel

Jewel Kilcher, her journey from humble beginnings in Alaska to talented singer, songwriter, and actress. Visit our biography and quotes page.
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