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In Time for ANY Christmas

D.V. Lindner | King George, VA, USA | 03/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I managed to find myself a mint condition vinyl version of this set in 1997 - lucky me, and wonderful to see it in the indestructible CD form too. If the packaging of this one is as skimpy as the one rendered for the CD of their 'Oh Happy Day,' LP, I've got lots of info for you here.
Three songs are not strictly Christmas tunes. But they bow toward gospel and they blend well: `I Believe,' `Pray For Peace' (Soloist: Francis Williams) and the group's version of Bob Dylan's 'Blowing In The Wind,' which is probably the most optimistic reading of his lyrics this song ever got. If it's possible to 'sing' a reassuring smile, soloist Shirley Miller, via some generous ad-libbing, certainly manages it.
Then we get five wonderful, undisputed Christmas classics, performed superbly.
Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas,' while not a hymn in the strictest sense, lines up nicely with the songs that are, under Hawkins' direction and with a solo by Tramaine Davis. Norma Jean King delivers a fine solo on 'What Child Is This.'
Fittingly, the verses of 'We Three Kings' are sung by a male trio of Walter Hawkins, Reuben Franklin & Ronald Thompson while the whole choir comes thundering in spiritedly for the chorus.
Finally, there are my two favorites here.
Solemnly and reverently 'Oh Holy Night' is delivered with organ notes that will certainly give any sub-woofer a workout and a solo by Ruth Lyons that's every bit an emotional reckoning with her every listener as was her work on 'Joy, Joy.'The Edwin Hawkins Singers version of 'Silent Night' beggars my command of the English language to describe perfection. Instrumentally, only a sparkling piano (Hawkins himself, no doubt) and deep organ notes stand out but the choir's work would grace any church, any denomination. The male and female parts are added tenderly and distinctively to the left and right channels and, though I've had a copy of this album (always!) since 1971, the soaring soprano of Gayle Smith's solo on this song still goose-bumps my arms when I listen.
I'm convinced I simply couldn't find the Christmas 'spirit' any year now, without this album. I hope I never have to. As much as I've been able to research the Buddah label's LP catalog numbers - this one was Buddah 5054 - record buyers have had this available to them since 1969. You've waited long enough, haven't you?"

Edwin Hawkins Singers - Christmas

D.V. Lindner | 12/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent Gospel Christmas Music"