He is Christmas

Description

He is Christmas is the first Christmas album by the American a cappella gospel music sextet Take 6, released on Warner Alliance in 1991, the CCM division of Warner Bros. Records.

There’s an elegance associated with the music of Take 6; a style and flair that makes everything it does interesting. This album reminds me of ‘Christmas’, one of my older favorites, by vocal group The Singers Unlimited. (The Singers’ arranger, Gene Puerling, is frequently mentioned by Take 6 as a major influence, and gets a thank-you in these credits.)

There’s no radical difference between this album and the group’s previous two. You’ll hear the expected layers of harmonies and sophisticated chord progressions, as Take 6 emulate the sounds of a jazz orchestra or combo. It’s the way the group invigorates the chestnuts which make these songs such a joy to listen to. Claude McKnight wrote the title track, which will not make you forget classics such as «Silent Night» and «Away in a Manger», but it is a fine composition, reminding us of the reason for the season. Other highlights include Vinnie Chea telling the Clement Moore story, «Twas Da Nite», in a speedy jive/rap style, popular jazz quartet The Yellowjackets backing the group on «God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen» and the African vocalizing on «The Little Drummer Boy». Speaking of which, the striking modern African art on the cover, depicting said drummer boy, is reason enough to pick up ‘He is Christmas’, and outstanding album which has every chance of becoming a perennial favorite. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, November 1991]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/he-is-christmas/1172406532)

CD tracklist:

01. Silent Night – 3:31
02. Oh! He Is Christmas – 4:01
03. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – 2:40
04. Away In A Manger – 3:37
05. Amen! – 3:35
06. The Little Drummer Boy – 3:56
07. ‘Twas Da Nite – 3:46
08. Sweet Little Jesus Boy – 3:26
09. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – 4:35
10. O Come All Ye Faithful – 2:22

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Warner Alliance.