Customer Reviews

Timeless Christmas

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If there was ever any doubt that Israel Houghton is one of the brightest and most creative artists in music today, this should quell it. Not since Kirk Franklin's Christmas album have I heard a holiday set that is listenable all year long. Kirk's set is still great, and has stood the test of time, but A TIMELESS CHRISTMAS kicks it up a notch.

I am not someone who is a big fan of Christmas music (spiritual or otherwise), but the unique arrangements given to these classics provide such a freshness that even someone like me can get into these songs. From beginning to end all of the music flows, is uplifting, interesting to listen to. Israel and New Breed drive home the spiritual side of Christmas without delving into cheap sentiment. It's a well-balanced statement of faith that is perfect for sharing with believers and non-believers alike. After listening to this, some skeptics just may want to find out more about Who is known as "The Reason for the season."

As extraordinary as this set is, I have to mention something that sets it even further above many other noteworthy albums: special guests that actually add to the project rather than detract from it. So many times these guests can distract from or frankly ruin a project, especially when there are as many guests as on ATC. But each and every guest's appearance here contributes to this work in a positive way. Of particular note is Lalah Hathaway's performance: a brilliant singer, artist and interpreter at any rate, this is one of her finest performances ever.

One minor quibble: it's always good to hear artists include their own children on a project. Usually when they do it's no more than 30 seconds unless they are old enough to speak or truly carry a real tune that is beyond what some would call "precious." However, "Sonny Boy Christmas" features Israel's very young son carrying on for nearly two and a half minutes. The first time I heard it I honestly wondered when it would end. And I'm someone who loves children. How will this sound to the listener after the 10th spin?

But no matter. In my opinion, Israel and New Breed have turned out a Christmas set which really does live up to its title. Praise the Lord for a spiritual artist like Minister Houghton who is not afraid to be creative in His Name.

I've been an Israel fan since Jan' 2004 when I accidentally came across New Season at a New Year's Gathering at a Friend's house. Since then, I have not been able to put aside anything musically from Israel. He and the new breed band consistently get the most rotations on my mp3 player, the whole year through, year on year, and it's always a special feeling when you know a new Israel cd is coming, it comes out and you get it in your hand.

So here it is!!! I dare say one of the most beautifully crafted musical escapades you could ever want to go on. From the first note of the 'Nutcracker Overture' you could tell this disc was going to be something special. Israel and New Breed fans and Gospel fans all over the world, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!!!! The album is simply brilliant, put together like a live concert, with a mix of familiar and new Christmas songs but in their true Israel musicianship style. The other thing i noted was how some of the songs were written so that they could be played all year through, for the message, and not only for Christmas time. The guest artists are simply quality.

Mr. Luther "Mano" Hanes and Israel Houghton Well Done!!! I only wished Aaron Lindsey was on the project but will wait for their next one together.

My pics of the disc - Go Tell It, Least of These and Nocturnal Mist but it's an experience and they all fit perfectly together.

Merry Christmas All!!

God Bless.

This is one of the best Christmas albums I have purchased in a long time. Arrangements are not like anything I've heard before on traditional songs and the original material is excellent! I will be pulling this one out more than only Christmas time.

OH MY GOODNESS! WHAT A BLESSING! In my humble opinion, "A Timeless Christmas" is one of the very best Christmas projects to hit the market in a very long time. From track 1 to track 15, the glorious message of Christmas is told as only Israel & New Breed can tell it. Luther "Mano" Hanes lends excellent production assistance as Israel reels in special guests, Marvin Winans and his sister, Cece, Lalah Hathaway, Jonathan Butler, Marcus Miller, Gerald Albright and the graceful orchestral presence of the Beijing Symphony. I tell you, this CD is extraordinary. Until now, though I have a huge collection of Christmas music, I had but 2 all time favorite Christmas projects - The Quincy Jones production "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration" and Kirk Franklin & The Family "Christmas;" today, without hesitation, I add "A Timeless Christmas" to my list. Can't figure out what gift to give to your loved ones and friends this Christmas? Well, this CD will be a gift they'll cherise for many seasons to come. I love the CD, but must end with one question - where was New Breed mainstay, Aaron Lindsay?

Isreal & New Breed has a style of their very own...and it is JUST AWESOME!! This CD will certainly bring you into the presence of the Lord. At such a Holy and intimate time as Christmas this is a MUST-HAVE CD.

The Christmas Worship Medley will stop you in your tracks and have you PRAISING OUR WONDERFUL SAVIOR right where you are...

These CD gets 10 stars in my book!!

Try listening to this and not moving. You can't! The arrangements and musicians are truly wonderful. After just one listen through I found myself humming "Everybody Knows." There are some sounds reminiscent of Earth, Wind and Fire and one song even brought "Thriller" to mind. This is definitely one to add to your collection.

In one word to describe this holiday cd it would be AWESOME! The music was calm, harmoneous, spiritual and wasnt over worked with guest appearances. In my opinion they used the better voices of The Winans clan and to have Lalah Hathaway on any cd, I'd follow. Instrumentalist like Gerald Albright and Marcus Miller were right on time. After giving this cd a careful listen through, I have found that this cd has the perfect elements to make a classic holiday cd.

This is where a Christmas album should be at! Trust IH&NB to release a Christmas album that you can listen to all year round. It's more than apparent that IH&NB take the season as seriously as God took that first Christmas. Where others would push out a seasonal half-baked product IH&NB metes out absolutely no compromise slick production guiding us through a myriad of beautiful aural experiences. You bet their Christmas morn church service will be jam packed!

Without doubt this is the best executed Christmas album I've ever heard. I would say it's their best release, at least way up there with the best of them. IH&NB has simply chosen not to pander to Christmas schmaltz and `A Timeless Christmas' stands tall and proud as a creditable Christian church-based portrayal of Christmas as well as a faultless major project in its own right.

It's brain-strain to select the best cuts - `A Timeless Christmas' transcends such assessments. Of course, during ownership of this CD (more than highly recommended) you will gradually pick out your favourites. Initial hearings leave one marveling at the fullness of each track and synergetic cohesion of the whole.

Stick the CD on `play' and you'll leave it there, the `skip' button just doesn't feature for products of this caliber. Dare I twist a phrase - it's their season - and yes, though their avid fans do listen to IH&NB through rose-tinted hearing aids, this album is genuinely special.

This CD is truly a masterpiece and it shows the genius of an award winning Musician at its best. This album is beautifully made and gives all the glory to God. I was amazed when I heard their interpretations of Christmas classics with Kicking drums and beautiful instrumental work. The duets on this album are an amazing addition. If you are looking for a Christmas Album that has Uncontrollable praise written all over it get ready to celebrate Jesus birth with this amazing Christmas Recording. Gospel at its finest.

This christmas cd made my Christmas holiday beautiful. I played the whole cd over and over again and it brought great joy and delight to all who visited my home throughout the holiday season. Israel needs to be encouraged to do more cd's like this one. He sounds so good with an orchestra behind him.