Soul Of The Holidays – WHUR-96.3 (Various Artists)
Soul of the Holidays | Various Artists
By Terrill J. Hanna
What a unique way to not only feature a great selection of special music artists to an evening of fantastic, special Christmas music on stage…,but to also demonstrate how well WHUR/Howard University Records had produced this concert with proceeds to benefit their “Food2Feed” nonprofit organization, designed to help Washington DC area families with monetary donations & non-perishable food items. With an exceptional list of artists, which include Angie Stone, Sax extraordinare Mike Phillips, Maysa Leak & Brian Culbertson, Joe Thomas, Tony Rich, Plunky, Spur Of The Moment, Vanessa Rae Williams & Yours Truly – Phil Perry, this assortment of holiday treats is made available at CDBaby for immediate purchase!
Music Producers Chris “Big Dog” Davis & Wayne Bruce provided the live audience a display of great renditions, exceptional high quality musical arrangements & 10 tracks of soul-stirring, breathtaking performances from the fine line-up of musicians & singers listed above!
Track Listing-
~ Angels We Have Heard On High – Spur Of The Moment
~ God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman (Comfort & Joy) – Maysa & Brian Culbertson
~ I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Phil Perry
~ The First Noel – Angie Stone
~ Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Joe
~ Oh Holy Night – Vanessa Renee Williams
~ Little Drummer Boy – Tony Rich
~ This Christmas – Mike Phillips & Angie Stone
~ Silent Night – Plunky, Mike Phillips & Spur Of The Moment
~ Away In A Manger – Phil Perry
Keep in mind, this collection came packaged in a double CD & DVD format, so the listener can enjoy both worlds of audio & video to ‘Soul Of The Holidays’. There was outstanding performances from everyone, with a twist of jazz & a touch of gospel. Some of my favorites were watching Maysa & Brian Culbertson collaborate & groove gracefully to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”; R&B star Joe beings a sensual feel for “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” & Mike Phillips stood by Angie Stone & brought down the set with “This Christmas”.
Phil Perry dazzled songs “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” & “Away In A Manger”. With his signature high falsetto vocal swirls & optimal stage presence, the studio audience was practically swayed back & forth to the pure mystical energy Phil brought with him that special evening; Jazz band Spur Of The Moment enjoyed a couple of sets with “Angels We Have Heard On High” & “Silent Night” with sax players Plunky & Mike Phillips. And Gospel vocalist Vanessa Renee Williams caps off a night of spectacular performances with “Oh Holy Night”.
The DVD boasts special features such as a Photo Gallery, Rehearsal & Taping footage, “One on One” Interviews with the artists & a Reprise of “This Christmas”.
It didn’t take much for me to make a choice, a decision about this project. It was superb from head to toe. Adding that WHUR should consider doing something of this magnitude every year. Especially for the reach & cause of their non-profit organization. Big shout goes to Chris “Big Dog” Davis & Wayne Bruce for making up the musical backdrop to the evening.
Terrill J. Hanna
The Urban Music Scene
Also available at Amazon.