Oh Happy Day: Best of Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Hawkins, The Edwin Hawkins Singers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
• ASIN: B0012GMZL8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,884 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord

2. Pray for Peace

3. Oh Happy Day

4. Joy Joy

5. Give Me a Star

6. I Shall Be Free

7. To My Father's House

8. Someday

9. Jesus, Lover of My Soul

10. O-o-h Child

11. Precious Memories

12. Late in the Evening

13. A Long Way to Go

14. Blowin' in the Wind

15. I'm Going Through

Editorial Reviews

The R&B-tinged sound of this legendary Bay Area gospel group pointed the way to a new era in gospel recording-and resulted in nothing less than a miracle: a Top 5 pop smash, 1969's Oh Happy Day ! That classic joins Joy, Joy; Pray for Peace; Someday; I Shall Be Free; Give Me a Star , and nine more by these modern gospel trailblazers!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Collection of contemporary gospel expands on one-shot hit, September 24, 2001

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Oh Happy Day: The Best of The Edwin Hawkins Singers (Audio CD)

"One Hit Wonder" is an epithet usually pinned on artists whose entire catalog is one song deep. But the term is also applied to those whose lifelong artistry finds but momentary alignment with popular taste - the flashbulb of acclaim illuminating only the surface of a deep reservoir of music. Such was the case for Edwin Hawkins. His chorus' breakthrough hit, "Oh Happy Day," catapulted him to fame, yet his music career neither began nor ended with this success.

Oakland, California born Edwin Hawkins had been performing since his youth, but it was a recording made to fund his Berkeley-based choir that launched him to international fame. An early morning airing of "Oh Happy Day" on San Francisco's KSAN-FM stirred up a local interest that blossomed into a national re-release and sent Dorothy Combs Morrison's searing lead vocal to #4 on the pop chart. Morrison left to pursue a solo career shortly thereafter, and Hawkins' inventive work, rife with the rhythms and harmonies of soul, latin jazz and pop, found continuing success on the gospel charts (and with the Grammy awards). The Singers' only return to the secular Top-40 would be in support of Melanie's "Lay Down (Candle in the Wind)."

Buddha's collection highlights several of the lead vocalists who fronted the Singers (including Hawkins himself on "I Shall Be Free"), and includes informative new liner notes from Lee Hildebrand. The fifteen tracks, drawn from albums recorded through the 70's amply show off the powerful groove of Hawkins' arrangement.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Tell The TRUE History of Black Gospel Without Him., February 14, 2002

By 

Rev. Raynal Monden (Ruth's Husband} (Chicago, Illinois - USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oh Happy Day: The Best of The Edwin Hawkins Singers (Audio CD)

In the late 1960's EDWIN HAWKINS was one of very few Gospel Pioneers that aided in the evolution of gospel. He relates to more than just a christian's place in the church, but their place within the WORLD around them. With his unique, 4-to-6 part harmonies, up-to-date lyrics/topics, and contemporary music styles rare to the church at that time, Edwin was a TRUE aid in breaking down walls & reaching many. Enjoy other albums:"The Edwin Hawkins Singers-I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" or "Edwin Hawkins-The Comforter" and you'll never be the same.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can't make it to church.., March 4, 2002

By 

Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oh Happy Day: The Best of The Edwin Hawkins Singers (Audio CD)

If you need a spiritual uplift and can't make it to church on a particular Sunday, listen to this an enjoy. Much of the material from this CD comes from another great gospel classic, Edwin Hawkins & co.'s "Oh Happy Day" album from 1968. However, there are some excellent tunes form other later Cd/Albums. The gospel version of the 5 Stairsteps Classic "Ooh Child" is a standout that's comparable to the original (best listened to on a sunny morning to give your day a good start). Tramaine Davis (later Hawkins) solo on "Precious Moments" is also worth the price of admission.

The Hawkins Singer's gospel version of Dylan's "Blowing In the Wind" is one of the best and most inventive interpretations of a Bob Dylan song I've ever heard. The piano, drums, and organ workout during the chorus must be heard to be beleived. But in either case, just buy this wonderful CD if you are in need of spiritual uplift or just a lover of good music.