The bustling BergenPAC auditorium in Englewood, NJ this Sunday, December 17, 2023 evening is filled with concertgoers ready for a Joy of Christmas performance by country music superstar Martina McBride.
The lights dim as “Let it Snow” is played by an on-stage orchestra consisting of musicians on piano, guitar, bass, and drums, in addition to a three-piece string section and a three-piece horn section.
Music lovers cheer as McBride, wearing a blue off-the-shoulder gown trimmed with feathers, enters singing, “Oh, the weather outside is frightful/But the fire is so delightful/And since we’ve no place to go/Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
Vocalizing with flair, McBride welcomes the season with her sweet country soprano as blue lights illuminate the big band-style music stands adorned with snowflakes.
Blue and white lights change to red and green as the music shifts to 3/4 meter and McBride and Co. perform “Silver Bells.” Music lovers sway at their seats as McBride’s lilting voice waltzes over the audience, filling concertgoers’ hearts with holiday cheer.
The audience applauds, and McBride welcomes the crowd, announcing, “Merry Christmas, New Jersey! How’s everyone doing?” Acknowledging that tonight’s performance is her last show of the 2023 season, McBride explains that her mission tonight is to “get everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
To emphasize the point, McBride launches into “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” where she cries, “There’ll be much mistltoeing/And hearts will be glowing/When loved ones are near/It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
Saxophone, muted trombone, trumpet, and walking bass support McBride’s vocal on a swinging arrangement of “Winter Wonderland.” Then, McBride exits the stage leaving trombone and trumpet featured on a nostalgic instrumental arrangement of the A Charlie Brown Christmas song, “Christmas Time is Here.”
McBride returns to sing “White Christmas,” where the band accompanies her clear, expressive vocal as she croons, “May your days be merry and bright/And may all your Christmases be white.”
Music lovers cheer, and McBride jokes, “That song makes so much more sense here in New Jersey than it does in Florida!” After revealing that composer Irving Berlin considered “White Christmas” to be the “best song ever written,” she dedicates her performance of it to all of the members of the armed forces present in the auditorium.
McBride continues with a smooth rendition of Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song.” Explaining that she grew up in small town in Kansas with a father who was a fan of Elvis Presley, she acknowledges that she recorded a version of her next song with The King before sailing into a twangy country interpretation of “Blue Christmas.”
McBride inquires, “I wonder if the good people of Englewood would like to hear anything else besides Christmas music?” The crowd responds in the affirmative as McBride and Co. glide into “Wild Angels.” Fans wave their arms in the air as they sing along with McBride who vocalizes with power and charm on her 1995 #1 Country hit.
After announcing, “Here’s a song about love and loving each other,” McBride plays harmonica on her country-rocker, “Love’s the Only House.” Horns blare, strings bow, and her guitarist and bassist provide backup vocals as music lovers sing and dance along to the song’s infectious rhythm.
The crowd hoots and hollers, and McBride explains, “During the pandemic, this one gave me hope, and I hope it does the same for you.” Here, she gives a tour de force performance of her original composition, “Anyway.” With force and conviction, McBride cries, “God is great/But sometimes life ain’t good/And when I pray/It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should/But I do it anyway,” on this simple ballad which transforms into a power anthem.
Audience members respond with a standing ovation, and McBride exclaims, “Wow, that’s so nice!” prior to adding, “Keep standing because this one is for all the New Jersey girls!” Here, McBride sings directly to the ladies in the crowd on her 2003 hit, “This One’s For the Girls.”
Women in the audience happily sing along with Martina on the song’s “This one’s for the girls/Who’ve ever had a broken heart/Who’ve wished upon a shooting star/You’re beautiful the way you are” lyric as they stand, clap, and cheer for McBride.
Following a short intermission, McBride and Co. kick off Act II with a rich selection of Christmas songs including “Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “Home for the Holidays.” They continue the Christmas mood with a swinging arrangement of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” which contains a New Orleans jazz-style interlude, along with a rhythmic rendition of “Frosty the Snowman” which features a jazzy saxophone solo.
Heavenly sounds float through the BergenPAC auditorium as McBride performs a captivating version of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” prior to following up with a poignant country waltz arrangement of “Away in a Manger.”
A highlight of the second act is McBride’s interpretation of “O Holy Night.” where her impressive voice shines on a powerful and emotional interpretation of this Christmas classic.
The audience stands as McBride skillfully hits the song’s spectacular high note at the end of this memorable performance.
“Thank you for coming, and have a blessed Christmas!” announces McBride prior to bowing and exiting the stage. The audience continues to stand and cheer until McBride and the band return for a bluesy encore version of Charles Brown’s “Please Come Home For Christmas.”
The audience hoots and hollers, and McBride declares, “I know you guys have waited all night to dance, so here’s your chance!” Concluding tonight’s show with a rockin’ rendition of Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” music lovers dance as “snow” falls from the rafters before McBride states, “Thank you so much! We love you,” and takes a final bow for her adoring crowd.
To learn more about Martina McBride, please go to martinamcbride.com. For information on upcoming shows at Englewood, NJ’s BergenPAC — including Tommy James and the Shondells on January 27, Grand Funk Railroad on February 3, and Johnny Mathis on March 16 — please click on bergenpac.org.
Spotlight Central NJ entertainment news,
concert recaps, and interviews
Love Imagery Fine art stage photography
@allyouneedisloveimagery
