Customer Reviews

Oh Happy Day: The Best of The Edwin Hawkins Singers

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"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.

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.

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.

I first noticed Edwin Hawkins when I heard "I'm Going Through" on an episode on Homicide Life on the Street - The Complete Season 4, called "For God And Country". I thought at the time that it was an excellent tune but after making a note of the performer, didn't really think much else of it.

Then "Oh Happy Day" turned up recently on TV adverts for chocolate biscuits. I'd heard this one before of course but didn't know who performed it. I certainly didn't realise that it was the same choir who performed the tune I'd noticed on "Homicide" just a few weeks earlier. I immediately knew I had to get my hands on this CD and placed my order.

I'm not a religious person by any means (any more) but there's something about the sound of a gospel choir with its collective voice raised in praise, that just gets to me. I try to rationalise it but fail every time. This is about more than just a bunch of people with very good voices. It's purely emotional and maybe even spiritual. I just love the sound of gospel choirs. It's the main reason I bought The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album. For me, that album is less about Whitney Houston, much more about the Georgia Mass Choir.

And I certainly love the sound of The Edwin Hawkins Singers. "Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord", the album opener, is very moving. "Joy, Joy" I could listen to all day. Other favourites include "Give Me A Star", the jazzy "I Shall Be Free", "To My Father's House", "Jesus, Lover Of My Soul", "Ooh Child", "Precious Memories", "Late In The Evening"...

And of course, "Oh Happy Day" and "I'm Going Through".

In fact, to be honest, I love the entire album. It's called "The Best of The Edwin Hawkins Singers", after all.

When you have a rough day the sounds of Edwin Hawkins can lift your spirits! My number one recommendation is OH HAPPY DAY!! It's another one of the songs I am proud to have in my collection! The hand clapping and gospel singing will lift your heart like is does mine! Enjoy!!

Yeah....couldn't believe I found this....My mom still has the record & used to play when I was a little girl.....I can remember most the songs....love it!!!I'm a music director in our local church and wanted my choir to do this for Easter, I have the perfect soloist.....this song is so filled with the presence of the Lord!.....sounds like the original recording too....

I've been in love with this song for years. Everytime I forget it, it comes back to the forefront. Most recent was in Sister Act II. I've been to see the Hawkins Singers several times and have always had a blessed and enjoyable experience.

Regis Monahan, BGen, USAF (ret)

The the quality of the recording left a lot to be desired. There was no fidelity or depth to the quality of the sound. It was very "tinny". As for the songs chosen for the CD, they were fine. The one song "Oh! Happy Day" was worth the price of the CD.

This CD contains several old and famous recordings that I have always loved, since "O Happy Day" first came out. New items have been added, but it's the old favorites that I wanted. Robert Porter