STYLE: R&B RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 49557-15060 LABEL: Sparrow 5099921378027 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RELEASE DATE: 2008-10-03 RRP: £12.99
Reviewed by Ian Hayter
Mandisa has been nominated for both Grammy and Dove awards. Here she turns out a fairly standard Christmas pop-cum-R&B album with a selection of old favourites (a jazz-tinged "O Holy Night", "Little Drummer Boy", "Mary's Boy Child") and original compositions. Her treatment of the familiar songs, under the eye of veteran producer Brown Bannister, is good without being remarkable, although the arrangements bring out the power and sensitivity of her voice (particularly on "Silent Night"). There are also two original compositions on the album, in each of which Mandisa duets with the composer - "Christmas Makes Me Cry" with Matthew West and "Christmas Day" with Michael W Smith. The latter is a big arrangement with choirs and orchestra, as well as the distinctive voices of Mr Smith and Mandisa. If you like your Christmas songs produced with a large helping of schmaltz, this album might be worth checking out next Christmas.
The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.