Mahalia Jackson - Silent Night
Mahalia Jackson's
records are all about her voice, even with the prettiest of musical
backdrops (minimal though they are throughout this album) the only
thing that matters is her powerful vibrato. So when the exalted
gospel singer recorded her second Christmas album, 'Silent Night
(Songs for Christmas)' in 1962 there was only ever going be one
outcome. Namely a piece of work that had the power to change lives,
that contains 10 songs of arch spirituality, delivered masterfully
by the singers unique gift.
'Silent Night (Songs
for Christmas)' is certainly a different type of Christmas album.
It is thoughtful, religious and gives off a powerful presence.
Think of it as a delicate sorbet after the excess and
overindulgence that you normally associate with the sounds of the
season. This intention is signalled from the very start when
Mahalia Jackson tackles Robert MacGimsey's 1934 song 'Sweet Little
Jesus Boy'. There are no airs or graces as the hymn is presented in
uncluttered fashion, the gospel singers vocals are all that is
required to paint a hypnotic canvass.
'A Star Stood Still
(Song of the Nativity)' takes you to the nativity scene, you feel
the moonlight on your face, the cattle are lowing nearby but all
attention is focused on the the hushed scene that is gathered
around the manger. 'O Come, All Ye Faithfull (Adeste Fideles)' is
equally reverential for a carol that was just made for Mahalia
Jackson's emotive outpourings. 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' is
like inviting the most wondrous choir into your sitting room, the
singers give it their all like it was first time they've gotten to
sing on Christmas Eve for many years. It is a timeless performance
that is inspirational enough to inspire teary reaction. Another
well known carol to get the Mahalia treatment is 'Joy To The
World'. Again it results in a heavenly outbreak of sound and for
once Jackson's supremacy is challenged by the elaborate
arrangements.
'Silent Night (Songs
for Christmas)' is all about mood and spirituality but there are
intermittent flashes of lighter subject matter. The prime example
being 'Go Tell On The Mountain', which asks that the birth of Jesus
be announced from a high. The instruction is carried out in what
resembles a slow moving carnival of celebration. For once the
backing vocals include male parts, which dance merrily with
Jackson's lofty pronouncements.
While there is an
overriding sense of the religious about 'Silent Night (Songs for
Christmas)' (with the particular theme of the baby Jesus present
throughout) Jackson does find time on occasion to offer a more
secular outlook. This is most obviously apparent on 'Christmas
Comes To Us All Once A Year' where she offers a view into her idea
Christmas day. As the church bells chime and there's more giving
than receiving you may well feel like you are being transported to
a time when there were no adverts to distract us from the real
objectives of Christmas.
Jackson leaves her
most powerful rendition to the end for the majesty that is 'Silent
Night, Holy Night'. There is no over-elaboration as all that
accompanies her slow deliberate vocals is the sound of a distant
organ/church bell and softy lit backing vocals. And when the words
stop Jackson ensures the electricity in the air continues to
lightly crackle as she hums an entire chorus. A spellbinding 5
minutes.
Given that she is
widely regarded as the best gospel singer the world (let's be
reminded that she sang at John F. Kennedy's inauguration ceremony)
has ever produced, it would seem incongruous to think that a
Christmas record from Mahalia Jackson would be anything less than a
success. The truth is 'Silent Night (Songs For Christmas)' is much
more than that, it a compelling listen from start to finish, a
little piece of history that gives anyone with a doubt about the
importance of Christmas music something to seriously consider
before making such foolish statements.
Mahalia Jackson - Silent Night Christmas Videos
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