Powerhouse Radio Blog

Christmas
by Kingsley H. Smith
11/14/2006

Christmas is getting closer. Let's look at a strong classic soul release that you may have overlooked from last holiday season. Aaron Neville's "Christmas Prayer" was released in October, 2005. Neville brings his unique soulful falsetto to this hearty collection of mainly traditional songs: A Christmas Prayer - Contemporary medium-tempo ballad. Go Tell it on the Mountain - A tambourine tapping gospel/soul hybrid featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama. Mary's Boy Child - Traditional ballad. White Christmas - Performed by Aaron in the Drifters classic style , with some do-wop background singing to spice things up. Joy to The World - Slow a cappella sung with the Blind Boys of Alabama. This track featuring Aaron is also included on the 2004 Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas CD "Go Tell it on the Mountain." Merry Christmas Baby - The classic sung with Neville gusto. Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Slow traditional. First Noel - Slow traditional showcasing Aaron's fine voice. Christmas Everyday - Contemporary medium-tempo reggae romp. O Come All Ye Faithful - Very slow traditional ballad sung with lots of soul. Ave Maria - A respectful performance of a classic. Piano and strings dominate this track featuring Neville's spiritual voice. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - A heaven sent ballad. Amen - A chorus of several Neville's sing joyful praise. The Neville Brothers also contribute: Cyril on percussion and background vocals, Charles on saxophone, and Arthur on organ. It's a full family affair with Ian Neville on guitar, and Jason Neville on background vocals. Aaron Neville has one of the most unique voices in contemporary music. He puts it to excellent use on "Christmas Prayer." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Oleta Adams Sings Christmas Time Cheer

Christmas
by Kingsley H. Smith
11/02/2006

The well traveled Oleta Adams has had a particularly diversified singing career. A Seattle, Washington native, she was discovered performing in Kansas City by the popular 1980's English group Tears for Fears. The British band (best known for "Shout," and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World,") prominently featured Oleta's soulful voice on their 1989 album, "The Seeds of Love." Christmas Time with Oleta, her ninth release, features energetic arrangements of traditional holiday classics, dominated by her rich, powerful, earthy voice. Oleta's gospel, jazz, and R&B roots shine through on this distinguished release. You'll like it. Here are the tracks: Of The Father's Love Begotten/Hark The Herald Alleluia, Alleluia (Peace On Earth) Christmas Time Is Here I Wonder As I Wander (Appalachian Choir) Breath Of Heaven Winter Wonderland There's Still My Joy Let It Snow Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Silent Night Uncover the inside story behind this CD when you check out the Oleta Adams biography. What's a new Christmas release without a world tour? Scan through Oleta Adams tour dates when you visit her web site. If you missed it, here's an update on 2006 Christmas holiday releases from Lionel Richie, John Legend, and Hall and Oates. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Lionel Richie Leads a Grab Bag of Christmas Holiday Favorites

Christmas
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/17/2006

Here are some notes on three festive holiday releases coming your way this Fall. (1) The rejuvenated Lionel Richie, riding the success of his latest CD "Coming Home," offers eight holiday songs for the new "Lionel Richie Collection," including "Joy to the World," and "Silent Night." (2) John Legend, (scheduled to release his next CD October 24th), gives fans a bonus CD of holiday hits. "Let it Snow" is featured on "The John Legend Collection" Christmas offering. Retailer Target will be the exclusive distributor of the Richie and Legend holiday CD's. (3) Daryl Hall and John Oates have released their first ever Christmas album. They are donating a portion of the proceeds to Toys for Tots, the charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. There are two new songs, "Home for Christmas," which is the title track, and "No Child Should Ever Cry on Christmas." These traditional classics get a contemporary touch: The First Noel It Came Upon a Midnight Clear The Christmas Song Mary Had a Baby Oh Holy Night Hall and Oates have also re-recorded "Jingle Bell Rock," a promotional single they originally released many years ago. Previous Post | Next Post