Oh Happy Day

Various (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2009)
• Original Release Date: October 6, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI GOSPEL
• ASIN: B001PUTNJS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,041 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Music > R&B > Classic R&B
  #6 in	Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues
  #23 in	Music > Christian > Pop & Contemporary

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

You don't just hear gospel music, you feel it.

At the heights of its power, this uniquely American art form connects the spirit of the writer, performer and listener with a truth much higher than presents travails. The notes, rhythms, and lyrics paint a picture of the ongoing tale of struggle, persecution, redemption and freedom. Blues, rock and roll, r&b, country and even modern hip hop and rap music have all been influenced by the sound and soul of gospel. It has faced down the bleak days of slavery, depression, violence and fear with a tear in its eye and a promise on its lips.

On Oh Happy Day, a wide array of contemporary artists has been paired with some of today's leading gospel voices and legendary choirs. Together they explore a batch of gospel standards and main-stream hits that were clearly inspired by the old soulful sound and feel of gospel.

It's an all-star celebration that just might take you someplace higher if you let it.

Track listing:

1. I Believe - Jonny Lang (with the Fisk Jubilee Singers)

2. Presence Of The Lord - 3 Doors Down (with Soul Children of Chicago)

3. Higher Ground - Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters

4. Keep The Faith - Jon Bon Jovi (with Washington Youth Choir)

5. People Get Ready - Al Green & Heather Headley

6. Waiting For My Child To Come Home - Mavis Staples & Patty Griffin

7. Storm Before The Calm - Michael McDonald (with West Angeles Cogic Mass Choir)

8. Redemption Song - Angelique Kidjo

9. A Change Is Gonna Come - Aaron Neville (with Mt. Zion Mass Choir)

10. Oh Happy Day - Queen Latifah (with Jubilation)

11. This Little Light Of Mine - Joss Stone & Buick Audra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Oh Happy Day" is a joy, May 6, 2009

By	J. Boyd - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Oh Happy Day (MP3 Download)

I could do without the Jon Bon Jovi track, but this whole album is a delight. It finds a good balance between diversity of style and arrangements, without splintering into a million pieces. And the material deserves it.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album is great, May 5, 2009

By	Music Lover (Silver Spring, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oh Happy Day (MP3 Download)

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this album was wonderful. The diversity of groups and sounds in incredible. I loved every single cut and recommended it hightly. Think Michael McDonald or Aaron Neville or even Jon Bon Jovi singing with a gospel choir. My new favorite cd.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make a Joyful Noise, for I Can't Set Down!!, June 14, 2009

By	D. Corl (Fukuoka Japan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD is simply a heck of a lot of fun. I remember when "Oh Happy Day" first hit the charts in the late 60s, and recall that Edwin Hawkins and crew caught a lot of flack from area church officials for performing in secular venues, not to mention that there were petitions to rock stations not to play the song, since, evidently, sacred songs should not be contaminated by association with such devil's music.

But my, how the times have changed!! God is not dead (as was touted back then in that famous slogan ripped off from Nietzsche), the devil does not have a monoploy on good tunes (he never did--read the psalms) nor rhythms (not to mention the rich, moving, even sensuous voices), and genre-melding is no longer the no-no it once was. Even if you're not a gospel fan, this compilation will have you tapping your feet at the very least, especially if you enjoy classic soul and R&B. Smart, sassy arrangements, songs of verve and hope, and a well-paced sequence makes this CD a winner. I want MORE!!