Various Love's Holiday: A Gospel Christmas Time Life Christmas 09-25-2007

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You don’t have to be into gospel music to enjoy much about Love’s Holiday: A Gospel Christmas, recently released jointly from Time-Life and BET J. However, I am a gospel lover, and I’m here to tell ya: it’s a full package.  The 14-track compilation covers a surprising amount of ground, from popular holiday classics delivered in classic styles, to fresh recordings by both established gospel artists and unexpected contributors from other genres.

Opening with an old-school flourish to Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers’ swaying title track, the holiday album gets off to a smooth, silky start before Patti LaBelle croons and belts her way through “Reason for the Season,” warmly laying out images of the holiday and the reason behind it. It’s impossible to resist Bryan Wilson’s beat-driven “The Savior Has Come,” with its infectious rhythms. Alicia Keys’ sleepy, sparse opening to “Little Drummer Girl” kicks into a sparkling, jazz-imbued delight, followed perfectly by the Kenoly Brothers’ soulful, free-flowing harmonies on “Why I Love You.”

Christina Aguilera tears it up over the funk guitar of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” her throaty vocals stretching out easily over the lush choir. Mary Mary brings a retro-soul sizzle to “Tis the Season.” Several artists play it straight on holiday classics like Luther Vandross’ string-heavy “Come All Ye Faithful,” Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s richly orchestrated “Christmas Medley,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” from Gladys Knight and the Pips.  Still kickin’ it after 40 years, the Mighty Clouds of Joy are smooth and warmly familiar on “Silent Night,” and Whitney Houston herself brings it all home on the classic closer, “Joy to the World.”

Producers Mitch Peyser and Bill Carpenter have started handing out the holiday gifts early with Love’s Holiday: A Gospel Christmas.