Customer Reviews

Handel's Messiah A Soulful Celebration

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This album is downright inspired. If you think Handel and Soul music couldn't possibly-- well, they do. Send any formulaic expectations out to hit the road. I think the "Overture" could stand on its own--what a fun (as well as reverent) way to survey Black music in the United States. And on thru "Comfort ye", "For unto us", "Why do the Nations", on into the great "Hallelujah" this soulful celebration invites you in with smiles and warmth and great big hugs. Praise!

This CD is a classic! If you love gospel/R&B music and well produced music then look no further. Quincy Jones brings together a list of musical greats from Take 6, Stevie Wonder, Patti Austin, Daryl Coley, Richard Smallwood, Tremaine Hawkins, Al Jarreau, and Tevin Campbell to name a few. Most of us have heard excepts of the classical Handel's Messiah during the christmas season and this collection is the "soulful" interpretations of some of the more familiar selections. Some of my favorites are "He shall purify", "Why do the Nations", "I know my Redemmer liveth" and the "Allelujah" chorus with a star studded choir. Of course nothing can compare to the classical original but this is a great work. This CD is getting difficult to find so get it while you can!

This CD is awesome. The arranger kept a lot of the original Handel's Messiah in the songs, but just jazzed it up. So even the classical music lovers can appreciate the CD. The singers were very good. Not just a CD for Christmas time, but something that you can listen to all year.

I really enjoy this album. I originally had it on cassette tape (when it first came out) but the tape broke (becuase I played it too mcuh) so I had to get it on CD. This is worth every penny and more.

This is the track listing for this release on REPRISE RECORDS !

1. Overture: A Partial History of Black Music
2. Comfort Ye My People - Daryl Coley/Vanessa Bell Armstrong
3. Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Lizz Lee/Chris Willis
4. And the Glory of the Lord - Dianne Reeves
5. But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming? - Patti Austin
6. And He Shall Purify - Tramaine Hawkins
7. Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive - Howard Hewett
8. O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion - Stevie Wonder/Take 6
9. For Unto Us a Child Is Born - Sounds of Blackness
10. Glory to God - Michelle Weeks/The Boys Choir of Harlem
11. Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion - The Richard Smallwood Singers
12. Behold, The Lamb of God - Yellowjackets
13. Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates - Commissioned/The Clark Sisters
14. Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage? - Al Jarreau
15. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth - Tevin Campbell
16. Hallelujah! - Various Artists

I love this project!It's soulful, it's joyful and it's truly a great blessing!
The various uptempo beats and smooth jazz sounds may be a little much for conservative tastes, but if you are a lover of all types of music you will embrace this cd for it brings new light to old standards.
Keep in mind, the contemporary sound in no way draws the listener away from the spiritual message therein.
I love it!I hope you do too.

This is truly one of the worst attacks on Classical music ever perpetrated by the philistines of this world.

This is not good music, not a good interpretation and not respectful to the composer or his music.

If you love Soul and Hip-Hop, that's fine. If you like Handel, I respect your good taste. This evil and tasteless recording should never have been made. The whole thing sucks.