We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Take 6 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 5, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Word Entertainment
• ASIN: B00000K3GC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,873 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

2. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

3. Go Tell It on the Mountain

4. The Christmas Song

5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

6. What Child Is This?

7. Silver Bells

8. Winter Wonderland

9. O Little Town of Bethlehem

10. Joy to the World

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The follow-up to the Grammy-winning He Is Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas finds Take 6 at their finest. The sextet's a cappella melodies paved the way for R&B boy groups Boyz II Men and may recall Manhattan Transfer's multipart harmonic convergence, yet they continue to be unmatched in their ingenious take on popular jazz-vocal gospel. This outing finds the Seventh Day Adventist-affiliated outfit firmly locked into their signature vocal blend, augmenting their doo-wop a cappella styling with the occasional piano, light-handed bass, guitar, drums, and the cool blue saxophone of Kirk Whalum. A few songs are embellished by a triad of female harmonies and Brian McKnight (brother of founding member Claude McKnight) appears on "The Christmas Song." Chestnuts like "Silver Bells," "Go Tell It on the Mountain," and "Joy to the World," while happily recognizable, ring out especially merry as rendered by these fresh fellows. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS, June 17, 2000

By 

R. McRae (Saugus, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Audio CD)

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, is the outstanding new holiday companion to 1991's: HE IS CHRISTMAS. With the great arrangements of the latter, there were a few complaints that the Christmas standards were "unrecognizable." Refreshing in my opinion. This new effort should please most everyone. Unique, is what you have to call Take 6. Always taking even the familiar to another level.

Opening the set with Track #1 "We Wish You A Merry Christmas/Carol Of The Bells," I already had reason enough to buy it(Carol Of The Bells)being my all time favorite. Of course, I'd buy just about anything with Take 6 on it, they're that good. Tracks #2 and 3 then relaxe you with the guys polished pipes, and some great accompaniment from the Whalum brothers. #5: "Go Tell It On The Mountain," finds three of the wives almost stealing the show.

Not many versions of "The Christmas Song" are worth hearing after you've heard the master, Nat King Cole. But I think you will agree, Track #5 ain't too shabby. And for the best doo-wop since the 1950s, it's #6: "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Paul Jackson Jr's acoustic guitar intro on #7: "What Child Is This?" perfectly sets the mood for some of the sweetest sounds-this side of Heaven. #8: "Silver Bells," was the only low point for me. The vocals are there, it just dragged a little too much for my taste.

#'s 9, 10 and 11, wrap you up in the true Spirit of the season; especially "Joy To The World." This is the "Take 6 sound" at its best.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Take 6 do it again!, October 9, 1999

By 

Mark De-Lisser (Colchester, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Audio CD)

Can Take 6 produce anything not worthy of the highest praise? I don't think so. This new album, full of Christmas classics that the guys have taken and made there own is again a masterpiece. Sending out the message of Christ and the meaning of Christmas. Whilst in my estimation not as enjoyable as their previous Christmas offering, my enjoyment was only marginally less. Notable songs on this album amongst others are Go Tell It On The Mountain featuring the wives of three of the guys and Joy To The World - an arrangement that has left a number of my musical peers and myself speechless! The guys have done it again. This is a must buy for all fans and non-fans alike. If it's harmony you want, there is no better group than Take 6. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just fabulous!, December 17, 2005

By 

Alexander Quinn (College Park, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Audio CD)

The singing and arrangements on this CD are some of their best. I've heard a lot of Christmas music lately (Dec 18, today) and this is by far my favorite. Although all the songs are standard Christmas songs rather than originals, each one has been rendered in a fresh, original, and wonderful way. Unlike some Christmas albums, the arrangements aren't weird or contrived; they fit the spirit of the songs beautifully, within the unique style and talent of Take 6. One of my favorites is "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", which is rendered with sort of a doo-wap groove. It's hard to describe, but it just works. I guess you can listen to the samples.

Honestly, I'm perplexed at why some other reviewers don't like it. This is one of 8 Take 6 albums in my collection, and I'd rank it at least in the top half. It is on the jazzy size of their work, as opposed to some of their religious albums. But, it's really nice to listen to. I listen over and over and never get tired of it.

Highly recommended.