Customer Reviews

Christmas Celebration

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was also surprised to learn that Gladys does not sing the vocals except on a couple of tracks. This is an excellent addition to any Christmas CD collection. Gladys's talent and gift for music come through in every number she produces and it's refreshingly easy and satisfying to listen to. We've been playing it everyday since we received it and haven't grown tired of the vocals. Even to hear Gladys sing one of the Christmas songs is well worth buying the CD. The Choir is outstanding and the chosen vocalists are varied and good. Worth buying!

Obviously some of the previous reviewers do not know of Gladys Knight's recent venture as the originator/creator/conductor of The Saints Unified Choir. She is not just a "guest artist" performing with an obscure choir. The reason she produced/arranged most of the tracks is because she is the conductor and this is her "baby". The conductor is always on the cover. Ms. Knight's purpose in creating this choir was to unite many cultures of music and musicians to show the world that we can love one another through music. I hope those that feel they bought the album by "mistake" will come to open their minds and hearts to enjoy it for what it was meant to be - a celebration. It is a wonderful diverse collection of Christmas tracks. I too wish that there had been a picture of the choir behind her, so that we could see their faces as well. I have seen them perform on a television special and they are a beautiful mix of ages, cultures and musical backgrounds. Our family is enjoying this addition to our Christmas CD's.

Saints Unified Voices, Gladys Knight's own choir, under her direction and arrangement sing a dozen wonderful songs for Christmas. On several tracks, she sings the solo parts, with the choir, but she also has a male vocalist for a couple of solos with the choir, and a young boy who does the part of the "Little Drummer Boy" (my favorite track). I found this CD to be inspiring, especially the opening track, in which you can hear and feel the strength of Ms.Knight's conviction and love for Christ in her spoken word and the part of the "What Child is This?". The closing piece where they sing "The Lord's Prayer" is also moving. Except for track eight, "Jesus, What a Wonderful Child", all of the songs are familiar to me, and they can invite the listener to sing along. Of course, some have a more jazzy beat, but not in at over the top. Recommend.

All of the voices on this CD are lovely indeed, though the STYLE of the soloists' singing was not always quite to my liking--somewhat too "jazzed up" for my taste, especially for Christmas music. And, as at least one other reviewer has mentioned, too many of the instruments sound synthesized. I DO, however, want to emphasize how very well the choir is recorded and how well the massed choir sings. I think I have never heard a choir better recorded: you can hear individual voices and yet it sounds like a well-balanced choir. As an audiophile, I find this CD well worth owning simply for the effect of the very well recorded choir.

Sure, I know NOW after listening to the album and reading some of the reviews here that Gladys was not the main performer. I'm just giving a heads up because for me the info on the cover was too little, too late. If I knew Gladys was not the featured singer I wouldn't have bought it. Again, regardless of the intent of the album, I purchased it in order to hear Gladys Knight sing Christmas carols. That she sang on only two (?) of the tracks was a major shocker when I listened to it the first -- and last -- time. I had to look at the cover again to make sure I didn't pick up the wrong CD. Not that the choir was in itself so bad, but I was not in the market for a choir *I* never heard of unless as a backup. I don't shop that way with my limited income. Personally, *I* like SOUL music. (For that reason I also enjoy singers like Michael English, Vicki Yohe, Mike Purkey, Vern Jackson, Janet Paschal, Bill Gaither & friends, Jason Crabb & family, among others.) Most of the arrangements were all similar-sounding and nothing to write home about. So, yes, I was very disappointed. Good for Gladys she's not "just" a singer but a producer and writer as well. This just wasn't my cup of tea.

I love this CD. It has my all-time favorite version of my favorite Christmas song: the Little Drummer Boy. I just love how his one little drum becomes a whole chorus of drummers. We are all poor little drummer boys offering our best to the Lord.

Yes, as the earlier reviewer mentioned, Gladys does little but make a cameo appearance on this record; she sings lead on perhaps two of the songs, with the remaining tunes "produced and arranged" by her with others. The rest of the singing is OK, the instruments are almost entirely sampled or synthesized - not bad, but not great. And, worst of all, not Gladys; I'm disappointed that she'd intentionally mislead her many fans this way. There is nothing on the outside of the case that warns you about Ms. Knight's paltry participation, so it's not until after you buy the thing that you find out you've been duped. Don't bother.

Buyer beware. Although Gladys is on the cover, she mainly produced and arranged the album for All Saints Choir. She does talk in the intro and you can hear her voice sometimes. The album is well done with the choir so it is not a complete waste of money but they should be on the cover NOT Gladys.

boo... disappointing. Excepted Gladys, got nothing close.