Sounding off the best in recorded music - Christmas music - Brief Article

Ebony, Dec, 2001 by Lynn Norment

WHEN it comes to holiday music, NAT KING COLE truly set the standard with his original take on "The Christmas Song," written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells in 1946. The song topped the music charts after its November 1946 release, and it has been a holiday favorite since. A 1960 version of the world-renowned song is the highlight of a 1999 recording of the same name, The Christmas Song, from Capitol Records. For many years, Cole resisted Capitol's requests to record an album of traditional Christmas songs; in 1960 he relented. Among the songs on the 1999 release are: "O Tannenbaum," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Away in a Manger," "Joy to the World," "Silent Night" and the electronically engineered duet of "Christmas Song" with daughter Natalie Cole.

Among the most talented and famous gospel singers of all time, MAHALIA JACKSON offered some of the most inspiring Christmas songs ever recorded. On Sweet Little Jesus Boy (Columbia), recorded in the 1950s, she offers "Silent Night, Holy Night," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Joy to the World!" "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Go Tell It on the Mountain." These songs are backed by a jazz ensemble, including Milton Hinton on bass. Lionel Hampton can be heard on several songs. On a recent Columbia compilation, Christmas with Mahalia, the magnificent contralto is backed by an orchestra as she sings classics such as "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," "O Holy Night," "Silver Bells," "What Child is This," and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" While listening to Mahalia sing these holiday favorites with such dedication and spiritual depth, you are reminded that Christmas is truly a time of reflection and re-commitment.

Over the last three decades, the JACKSON 5 Christmas Album (Motown), originally released in 1970 when the group members were youngsters, has been a perennial favorite for kids of all ages. Throughout the recording, Jackie, Tito, Marion, Jermaine and Michael demonstrate why they were among the most popular kid groups of all times. Michael is angelic on "The Little Drummer Boy," "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," "Give Love On Christmas Day," and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." The older brothers sing lead on "The Christmas Song," "Someday at Christmas" and other holiday favorites. Together the Jackson 5 delivers songs with youthful exuberance that convey the essence of the holiday spirit--then and now.