Mahalia Jackson - Silent Night, Holy Night

A treasure in modest trappings

What a surprise to find this collection available at a booksellers' chain, and for well under $10.00!
As a James Brown fan, and "Sweet Little Baby Boy" enthusiast, I was thrilled to note the album closer song title, which naturally I presume is the reference disc for the 1966 JB entry.
Yes, "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" is here, and although it's sonic similarity is not immediately apparent, it surely is another golden ornament for the holiday fixture.
Mahalia Jackson is a brilliant singer, no doubt, and her mesmerizing voice is at home with something "commmercial" like "White Christmas", or something more "traditional", like "Silent Night, Holy Night". The Gospel "Go Tell It On The Mountain", and the Inspirational "I Wonder As I Wander" are incandescent all year 'round.
"No Room At The Inn", is a medium tempo number, new to me, that even with the spare support, builds and builds musically through Mahalia's commanding technique.
As a Special Product, it can be expected that this reissue does not feature liner notes, or even writers' credits, so this CD might not suit the historian/collector. Though what is not visible is not the thing here. December 25, 2007

A GOOD REISSUE OF THE COLUMBIA LP SWEET LITTLE JESUS BOY

Sound quality from the original monoural tapes are good and clear. At least CBS SPECIAL PRODUCTS brought out this long out of print LP from the COLUMBIA RECORDS catalogue.
This makes sense! January 3, 2006

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