Vickie Winans Happy Holidays From Vickie Winans 143 Records Christmas 10-02-2007

SCORE 92%

Vickie Winans’ promotional material promises “new arrangements and music color”…… but they all say that. The difference here is that she actually delivers. I found Happy Holidays to be the best of this year’s array.

Sizzling salsa horns open “Holiday Jam,” and we’re jumping right outta the gate. The good news is that Winans never really lets the energy drop, keeping a vigorous exuberance cookin’ throughout the 14 tracks. Her nuanced percussion-driven “Joy to the World” is as fresh as it gets, the African acoustic percussion adding texture to her unique interpretation. She imbues standout track “Silent Night” with a smooth R&B groove, while jazz-flaired keys add to the sizzle. In contrast, “Jingle Bells” is portrayed quietly, in a free-flow jazz rendition.

As you might expect, “Motown, Yo Town Family Song” is a rousing jam, while the smooth, soulful “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” with its sweet guitar tidbits, goes down like a cozy hot chocolate.  When the entire Winans crew gathers for “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” the mind boggles at this distribution of talent among one family. Don’t miss the fun banana pudding moments  in this warm track.

“O Holy Night” is, again, innovative and slammin’, while the slow burn of her single, “The Rainbow,” really gives Winans room to stretch out vocally. And she takes every measure to do just that, nicely supported by sparkling keys and nuanced guitars. “Joyful, Joyful” is straight-up exuberant fun, from the hip-hop injections to the dynamic choir. I have to say I was a little taken back by the emotional delivery of the closer, Michael McDonald’s “Peace,” until I realized it was dedicated to Winans’ close friend and collaborator Kayla Parker, who lost a ten-year battle with cancer earlier this year. Then I figured…. after the preceding sublime tracks of Christmas magic, Winans had earned the right to go out any way she chooses.

If you’re looking for a Christmas album that truly is a fresh, energetic  show-stopper, adding zest and passion to your favorite holiday classics, you must consider Vickie Winans’ “Happy Holidays.”