Mahalia Sings Songs Of Christmas!

Mahalia Jackson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Legacy/Columbia
• ASIN: B000002AAO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,096 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: JACKSON,MAHALIA
Title: MAHALIA SINGS SONGS OF CHRISTM
Street Release Date: 10/01/2000
Domestic
Genre: XMAS VOCAL

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In The True Christmas Spirit, December 11, 2003

By 

Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mahalia Sings Songs Of Christmas! (Audio CD)

Jackson was a truly idioscyncratic singer, dropping consonnants, sluring vowels, and breathing in the dead center of words--a style that suited her amazing gospel sound but which would seem at odds with the formality of many classic Christmas carols. But in 1955, 1962, and 1968 she went into the studio to record favorites of the season. The result is this truly miraculous compilation, which shows her at her very best from start to finish.

Opening with a very formal arrangement of the extremely difficult "O Holy Night," Jackson shows her amazing range in both voice and material--but the rigidity of the arrangement holds her voice just a shade too tightly for complete comfort. But with "What Child is This," a true magic rings out, and it remains a constant from the popular "Silver Bells" to the gospel-inflected "No Room at the Inn" and the low-key and spine chilling "Silent Night," the latter of which may well be one of the single finest recordings ever made of that classic.

Indeed, much the same may be said for many of the songs here; after hearing Jackson's "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "The First Noel," and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," it becomes difficult to think of many singers who could take such frequently-heard songs and make them seem theirs alone. And her unshakeable faith in God gives a power to these carols that recordings by other artists seem to lack. It is a conviction and belief that radiates through every note, every breath. Surely, as the liner notes state, it seems like Mahalia Jackson went to heaven and then came back to sing about it.

Many of these recordings are monoaural, but the sound quality of this recording is very fine, and Jackson easily transcends the recording limitations of her era. This is a wonderful recording, and if it is missing from your collection--you're missing a Christmas blessing from one of the finest singers God ever gave breath. Strongly recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best Christmas CD - EVER, December 20, 2004

By 

JoJo (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahalia Sings Songs Of Christmas! (Audio CD)

I have many Christmas CDs, from classics by Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Nana Mouskouri and Bing Crosby to modern jems by Jewel, Toni Braxton and Chris Isaak and modern atrocities by Christina Aguilera and Destiny's Child---and this one stands heads and shoulders above the rest. Her religious conviction, the timeless, traditional songs, the power of her voice and the classic, tasteful arrangements come together and deliver a CD that truly, truly, truly captures the essence of Christmas. Wonderful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Superb Christmas CD, January 14, 2008

By 

L. Erses "La Mystical Lady" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mahalia Sings Songs Of Christmas! (Audio CD)

Mahalia's voice is beautiful and the whole CD has expertly showcased her unique vocal style. I absolutely love this CD and will readily recommend it to all her fans.