And There Was Christmas Verity/Zomba Various Artist
As the old saying goes variety is the spice of life and it proves to be the case on this project. Opening up with the smooth track “Christmas Time” by 7 Sons of Soul the project gets off to a good start. With the ringing of the bells in the background and the harmonious voices of this group up front this song makes for a nice introduction into the spirit of the season. Next up on the project is the classic “Silent Night” by Kirk Franklin and The Family a favorite of mine and a great display of the arrangement finesse of Franklin. The traditional tune is spruced up with the mastery of the arrangement that Franklin and The Family pull off with ease. Other tracks of note are the forceful “Shout Unto God” delivered by the hot voice of 2008 Marvin Sapp and the beautiful ballad “Your Son” by Joann Roasario. The song showcases the lovely vocals of Rosario quite nicely. No Christmas project featuring the artists of Verity would be complete with out the man Donnie McClurkin who sings “Hark the Hearld Angels Sing” as only he can…smooth and silky. Check out this CD at www.amazon.com
Paul Morton’s Christmas Bishop Paul Morton
Do you remember when you were a kid and your family would gather around the piano to sing and there was always one uncle whose voice would steal the show…well that is the image I get while listening to Bishop Paul Morton belting out Christmas tunes on this project. Opening up with the classic “Away In A Manger” Morton turns the song into a jazzy updated tune. He allows his classic and smooth vocals to modernize the standard and offers a great tune. Next up is “Christmas in Vain” which deals with the real meaning of Christmas glorifying the birth of Jesus Christ. “Christmas in Vain” opens in spoken word and the way that Morton sings the song you feel as though you are in church listening to a sermon. In fact the entire project has a sermon type feel to it and you can tell with each track that Morton is a preacher filled with a spirit of song. Check out Paul Morton’s Christmas at www.lightrecords.com
