Ann Nesby | Ann Nesby’s Soulful Christmas

Ann Nesby | Ann Nesby’s Soulful Christmas Tyscot Records – 2009 By Peggy Oliver

There was a surefire electric night at the Gospel Music Channel’s studio in Atlanta, Georgia because Ann Nesby was in the building. What a wonderful gesture to present a special Christmas gift – Ann Nesby’s Soulful Christmas – to all her fans after releasing a disc earlier this year – The Lula Lee Project. I will be the first to jump on board that hot tamale train and the soul train to experience Nesby’s performances anytime. Whether singing for the gospel, R&B or dance fan, her robust voice and sincere heart is always evident. From her early days as a featured soloist with Sounds of Blackness to her solid solo artist status, Nesby has always been appreciated by the music world. Yet to this day, she seems underrated compared to her equally talented urban music partners like CeCe (Winans) and Karen Clark-Sheard.

On Soulful Christmas, Nesby takes her audience to some back in the Sounds of Blackness day moments and a big hit from Lula Lee as well as placing her emphatic vocal stamps on various Christmas favorites. The audience was small in numbers for the DVD taping, but the enthusiasm was living large. Nesby begins with the soulful Christmas staple, “Jesus What A Wonderful Child.” Then starts the trip down ‘memory lane’; starting with one of the Sounds hits “Going All The Way.” “I Found A Place” (from Lula Lee) begins with Nesby citing Psalms 91 about maintaining faith during the difficult times. But where Soulful Christmas really raises the bar are fresh rearrangements of several popular Christmas hymns. “O Come All Ye Faithful” might as well be a testimonial piece and “Silent Night” is retrofitted into a smooth gospel/R&B old school jam. Soulful Christmas finishes off with another track from the Sounds’ vaults: “Soul Holiday” which was originally recorded for their theatrical presentation: The NightBefore Christmas. The multi-talented Big James Wright (who worked on Nesby’s “I’m Here For You”) joins in this mid-tempo dance groove.

The CD/DVD package of Ann Nesby’s Soulful Christmas on Tyscot Records may not be a one-hundred percent holiday offering. Yet that should never deter those who appreciate top-notch vocals such as Nesby’s to still consider this lively concert performance for their permanent music collection.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from
Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene