By Paul T. Mueller — The story of Jesus’ birth is not new, and neither, of course, is the idea of putting together an album of Christmas songs. But on All the Way to Bethlehem, bluegrass singer-songwriter Donna Ulisse takes a fairly novel and very successful approach – using original songs, she describes the events surrounding the first Christmas from the points of view of pretty much everyone and everything involved. It’s a refreshing alternative to the collections of Christmas standards that tend to show up this time of year.
Ulisse, who wrote or co-wrote the album’s 11 tracks, introduces the story and some of the characters with “I See the Light of the World.” Next is “You Will Be Delivered,” whose narrator is the angel who tells Mary she will be Jesus’ mother. “Elisabeth” is the story of Mary’s visit with her older cousin, who is also, and just as unexpectedly, to be a mother. “He’s Not Mine” describes Joseph’s confusion over his role. “All the Way to Bethlehem” is a duet in which Ulisse and Rick Stanley voice the conversations of Mary and Joseph on the road, and “Let the World Wait for a Little While” captures Mary’s first few hours with her new baby.
Other familiar characters appear as well: Bethlehem’s innkeeper in “You Cannot Stay Here,” the angel Gabriel in “He Is Here,” the Star of Bethlehem in “I’m Gonna Shine,” the three wise men in “We’ve Come to Worship Him,” and the awestruck shepherds in “Morning in Bethlehem.”
Ulisse’s faith is clearly at the heart of this project, but the album is also driven by her talents as a singer and songwriter. She’s ably assisted on vocals by Keith Sewell (who produced the album and plays guitars and banjo, among other instruments), Wendy Buckner Sewell and Ana Sewell, in addition to Stanley. Other players, illustrious Nashville names all, include Andy Leftwich on fiddle and mandolin, Byron House and Viktor Krauss on bass, Rob Ickes on dobro, and John Mock on concertina. Their contributions, mostly in a bluegrass style, are first-rate. Credit is due also to Ulisse’s co-writers, including Kerry Chater, Lynn Gillespie Chater, Rick Lang, Marc Rossi, Jerry Salley and Rick Stanley.
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