Description
First Christmas is a Christmas album by the American gospel and R&B/soul duo Bebe & Cece Winans, released on Capitol Records in 1993. Also distributed by Sparrow Records.
There may not be a better way to express your boxed up and bustling holiday enthusiasm than with the music from BeBe & CeCe’s Christmas parcel. Their cherished pop/urban finesse welcomes the hum of the drums and trail of bells against some mighty, astounding vocals. Shoo-boppin’ up to your speakers on «Jingle Bells», you’ll hear their powerful knack for blends and balance between the gospel and pop sounds they’ve crafted in this bundle of exhilarating gifts! Another smiled-upon melody and personal delight is «Joy to the World», a worshipful Winans wonder, graced with much vitality. The duo slows it down, but loses none of the passion and strength in the lyrics that stand on their own tradition.
Taking us back to the childlike aspect of the season is the oh, so tender opening of «I Love You». Pining away at your heart, the affirmations of “I love you” between BeBe and the children’s voices on this song will encourage you to reaffirm your thinking of the meaning of Christmas throughout the year. “We know that it’s the season of love is emphasized/ But I love you, yes I do/ Beyond cause or reason/ Beyond the season/ We share the dreams and good times/ But please, let’s not forget why we feel this way inside/ Because of Christ that’s why I love you.”
The two really sparkle on «All Because», beyond the orchestral overtones that leap alongside the inspiring voices. “Joy bells ringing, angels singing/ All because a child was born/ A time of sharing, people caring/ Hearts were awating, anticipating/ A gift was given for the living/ All because a child was born.” All else falls silent behind a Christmas celebration based on the love and peace that Christ brought from birth, as expressed in the song.
An unmistakable gospel sound erupts in full brilliance in «Give Me a Star». In a procession of a bellowing organ and jubilant trumpet, the tune suggests a time of wandering walks at night by someone without a known destination or sense of direction. “Give me one star, just one simple light/ I’ll never walk alone again at night,” utters a cry for a star to light the dark world. Supposing it were Christ in a bleak, unaccommodating world or even a lost one today, as BeBe sings for a “Star of joy… / Star to purify… / Star of rain and storm…” to help us on in a time of life’s crashing storms.
The declaration that “Things are gonna get easier/ Things will get brighter/ Someday we’ll get it together/ In a world much brighter” ushers a remake of the ’70s soul classic, «Oooh Child». In a pure mix of uncomplicated theme to “set your New Years resolution upon,” the family-driven soul sound has input from Mom and Pop Winans to wrap up. It’s an assuring album that’ll warm your toes and mittens from heavy, snow-plundering holiday chores. [Blythe McIntosh, CCM, November 1993]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/first-christmas/724154371)
CD tracklist:
01. Jingle Bells – 4:23
02. Silver Bells – 4:22
03. Give Me A Star – 4:59
04. Joy To The World – 5:29
05. I Love You – 4:43
06. Silent Night, Holy Night – 5:21
07. Hark The Herald Angels Sing – 5:19
08. White Christmas – 4:58
09. Ooh Child – 5:11
10. For Unto Us (A Child Is Born) – 4:29
11. All Because – 4:07
12. The First Noel – 6:00
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Capitol Records.
A full-page advertisement for the Bebe & Cece Winans album First Christmas was featured in the November 1993 issue of CCM Magazine.
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