PRAYZEHYMN Online | where gospel music lives [PH: Ho-Ho-Holiday Special]

By J. MATTHEW COBB
Founder, Editor-In-Chief of PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment
Posted: December 6, 2006

IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON, so woopie-doo-and-dickory-dock, don't forget to hang up your sock...goodness...I'm sure you are tired of that Christmas song playing on Muzak in the department stores as much as I am. But indeed it is that most wonderful time of the year once again, and PRAYZEHYMN is blessed to be celebrating five years of excellence this year in the midst of the advent season. But Christmas is celebrated by many people in many ways and still remains one of America's most respected religious holiday. That celebration can only be exalted with great music to "fa-la-la-la" to. So here's a quick run-through, done in classic PRAYZEHYMN style, to help transform your Christmas holiday this year into an angelic experience you will never forget.


	Mary Mary \| A Mary Mary Christmas (Sony Urban) Get in the "holiday" spirit with Mary Mary on this jubilant musical offering featuring stunning urban reworks of classic carols and original tunes. The urban contemporary sounds of "Carol of the Bells" and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" are done with R&B thrills created by renowned producer Warryn Campbell, "Call Him Jesus" and "Still The Lamb" keeps the gospel rolling for the holiday season.
	Juanita Bynum \| Christmas At Home With Juanita Bynum (Flow) Prophetess Bynum renders her voice to some neat arrangements set by producer Myron Williams on this eleven-track offering. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" puts her into Nancy Wilson mood, while "The First Noel" gets a gospel makeover. "Oh Holy Night" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" also are nice renditions. Micah Stampley's son, Micah II, also duets with the preaching machine on "I Stand In Awe Of You".
	Israel & New Breed \| A Timeless Christmas (Integrity) We are still loosing rest over the album title, but the album is very cultured and expresses the heart of Israel Houghton's purpose in the music world. He has been highly influenced by most genres and he chooses them all for this whirlwind of holiday energy. The amusing "Silent Nocturne", featuring Lalah Hathaway and Gerald Albright, definitely is a winner for those cozy nights, while "Go Tell It" gets funkier than James Brown's sweaty Christmas album. An all-star cast joins Israel here, including CeCe Winans, Contemporary Christian legend Matthew Ward, Jonathan Butler and Marcus Miller.
	Oleta Adams \| Christmas Time With Oleta (Koch) She blessed us with her 1998 gospel project, "Come Walk With Me", and now she is blessing us just in time for the holiday season. Her voice is still stellar and a jazz/pop sensation. The remakes of "Christmas Time Is Here", "Winter Wonderland" and "I Wonder As I Wander" are neatly done and "Breath Of Heaven" and "There's Still My Joy" are sure standouts. Sure to be an abundant blessing in setting the mood around the Christmas tree.
	Adrianne Archie \| Warm Winter (Soul LinQ) Neo-soul goes Christmas. Something to "ho-ho-ho" about. She broke into the independent music world with "He That Hath An Ear Let Him Hear" and captures the energy of Jill Scott and Erykah Badu. Now the soulful emerging diva is taking on holiday tunes and writes a bundle of original compositions to delight over. The title cut is refreshing and well-written, while "Saviour Of All", "Do Adore" and "Gloria" makes the season even brighter.
	Aaron Neville \| Christmas Prayer (EMI) A spirited album featuring the classic voice of Aaron Neville singing traditional gospel and soul arrangements of classic Christmas standards. That classic warm voice with the occasional vibrato punches is attached to the original title cut and the renditions of "Go Tell It On The Mountain", "Amen", "Ave Maria" and "Merry Christmas Baby". "Joy To The World" also features the Blind Boys of Alabama.
	Various Artists \| The Christmas To Remember (EMI) This compilation features an abundant list of new material from EMI's stellar gospel line-up along with a few favorites from their archives. LaShun Pace delivers the goods on Cedric Thompson's arrangement of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" while Vanessa Bell Armstrong brings down the house on "Mary Did You Know". Darrel Petties & SIP, Myron Butler & Levi, Antonio Neal and Darwin Hobbs also reveal album standouts. Probably one of the better holiday compilations on the shelf this year.


	Various Artists \| The Real Meaning of Christmas Vol. 3 (Verity) This spirit-filled collection brings out some of the best arrangements of Christmas music from the Verity roster. Helen Baylor shines on "Mary Did You Know", the LFT Church Choir captures the heart of urban R&B and Christmas joy on "Do You Know Like I Know" and Tarralyn Ramsey warms up the moving "I Believe In Miracles". And with other greats captured here including Commissioned, Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, Donnie McClurkin and Virtue, this album is a definite winner for the holidays.
	Various Artists \| Joyful Christmas (Sony/Columbia) Produced by Edwin Hawkins, this diverse set of holiday classics, punctuated with Hawkins' arrangements, is sure to satisfy. And there's a lot of artists on board this train. Commissioned excels on "Go Tell It On The Mountain", Patti Labelle pours her heart out on "Away In A Manger", Anointed lifts up their voice on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and Oleta Adams delights "O Come All Ye Faithful". Plus, with the talent of Nancy Wilson, Peabo Bryson and the late Lou Rawls on board, it's hard to resist this offering during the holiday.
	Shirley Caesar \| Christmas With Shirley Caesar (Word) Shirley Caesar delivers a powerful portrait of holiday cheer with this project - released in 1998. Enjoyable treats including "Ave Maria", "Do You Hear What I Hear" and "What Are You Gonna Name Your Baby?" are done with excellent affection and is charmed with Caesar's powerful singing. Most of the production is delivered by Steven Ford.
	Various Artists \| Christmas...Our Gifts To You (ATF) Having the Winans Family sing to you at Christmas time is something to rejoice over. And the whole gang delivers on this full-length compilation of favorite holiday tunes. CeCe Winans glides her warm voice on "O Come All Ye Faithful", Marvin Winans showcases his vocals on "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" and Mom Winans delivers on "What Child Is This". Special guests also swing by: Darwin Hobbs guests on "Little Drummer Boy" and Ann McCrary masters "Silent Night"
	Daryl Coley & Beloved \| Christmas Time Is Here (Verity) The legendary male vocalist of gospel renders an excellent take on the music of Christmas here and is highly supported by Beloved - a talented group of singers trained under Coley's direction. Powerfully done are the choral-driven "God's Only Son", the majestic arrangements of "O Come O Come Emmanuel/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and the soulful title cut. Of course, Coley never forsakes the mood of Christmas on this offering as he captures the sound of Nat King Cole and Nancy Wilson with a taste of traditional classical music.
	Norman Hutchins & JDI Christmas \| Emmanuel (JDI) A brilliant collection of traditional and contemporary gospel music featuring the JDI Records roster and cool production from Jason White. There's alot to like here including the swinging arrangement of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" featuring Chester D.T. Baldwin and the engaging R&B balladry of Denetria Champ's "Silent Night". Norman Hutchins delivers on two of the album's cuts.
	Various Artists \| Blessed Are The Meek...Christmas and Beyond (Meek) This dazzling offering from the staff of Meek Records presents a mighty range of musical styles - contemporary jazz, traditional gospel, urban and R&B. Stellar cuts include Maultry Jewell's jamming instrumental arrangement of "Drummer Boy", the Fellowship Choir's "Sweetly He Lay" and Pharis Evans' original "Full Of Christ". There is a lot to dig through here with powerful tunes featuring a number of artists including Rev. Clay Evans and the Hearne Family. A definite holiday gem.

OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO:
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Gospel at Christmas - 2005 Christmas edition. Features the top ten holiday albums of gospel music.