After some 70 years, it's neat that these blues/gospel pioneers are suddenly making a crossover move; you might be familiar with their recent version of "Amazing Grace" sung to the melody of "House of the Rising Sun." Now they've put their stamp on the holiday with this 2003 album featuring not only their own distinctive sound but a collection of collaborations with other popular artists. Tom Waits fans will snap this up just for his appearance on the title song, Chrissie Hynde lends her distinctive lead to "In the Bleak Midwinter" with guitar by Richard Thompson, Aaron Neville gets back to church on "Joy to the World," and Michael Franti, known for his work with Spearhead, talks the verse to "Little Drummer Boy." Solomon Burke continues his comeback with "I Pray on Christmas." Mavis Staples joins the group for "Born in Bethlehem," also known as "Children Go Where I Send Thee," which is good but seems to go on a little long. A witty 12-bar blues remake of "Away in a Manger" features George Clinton, and Me'Shell NdegeOcello talks the lyric and plays piano over the group singing a close harmony "O Come All Ye Faithful." Jazz grabs the spotlight here as Shelby Lynne does "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)" and Les McCann plays and sings on "White Christmas," and the group works alone on the opening "Last Month of the Year" and the closing "Silent Night." UPDATE: For 2004 they've released a video version of this on DVD.
Go Tell It on the Mountain, The Blind Boys of Alabama (Real World/Virgin)
After some 70 years, it's neat that these blues/gospel pioneers are suddenly making a crossover move; you might be familiar with their recent version of "Amazing Grace" sung to the melody of "House of the Rising Sun." Now they've put their stamp on the holiday with this 2003 album featuring not only their own distinctive sound but a collection of collaborations with other popular artists. Tom Waits fans will snap this up just for his appearance on the title song, Chrissie Hynde lends her distinctive lead to "In the Bleak Midwinter" with guitar by Richard Thompson, Aaron Neville gets back to church on "Joy to the World," and Michael Franti, known for his work with Spearhead, talks the verse to "Little Drummer Boy." Solomon Burke continues his comeback with "I Pray on Christmas." Mavis Staples joins the group for "Born in Bethlehem," also known as "Children Go Where I Send Thee," which is good but seems to go on a little long. A witty 12-bar blues remake of "Away in a Manger" features George Clinton, and Me'Shell NdegeOcello talks the lyric and plays piano over the group singing a close harmony "O Come All Ye Faithful." Jazz grabs the spotlight here as Shelby Lynne does "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)" and Les McCann plays and sings on "White Christmas," and the group works alone on the opening "Last Month of the Year" and the closing "Silent Night." UPDATE: For 2004 they've released a video version of this on DVD.
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