
Producer: Kevin Ward
Label: Independent Release
Website: http://www.hopescall.com
The first time I heard this group's music, my first thought was, 'WOW! This group is awesome!' Hope's Call has impeccable harmony and can evermore deliver a song. I was ecstatic when I found out they were releasing a Christmas CD, and they did not disappoint. Since I have been a reviewer for SoGospelNews, I have made it a rule never to review Christmas CDs. This group and this recording brought me out of hiding!
This recording features a good mix of Christmas standards (religious and secular) as well as newer Christmas songs. Starting with the Phillips, Craig and Dean Christmas favorite, "THE KID IN ME", the group moves to a very cool acapella arrangement of "GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN", before moving on to a couple of heartwarming favorites, "THE CHRISTMAS SONG" and "WINTER WONDERLAND".
Eddie Harrison turns in a stellar performance on the gripping "A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD". Previously recorded by Janet Paschal, Eddie and the gang really do a tremendous job on the song and it is definitely one of the memorable moments on this recording, as is the reflective, "GIVE ME THIS NIGHT".
The soulful "JESUS, OH WHAT A WONDERFUL CHILD" is next before Donna Beauvais gives a stunning performance on my all time favorite Christmas song, "O HOLY NIGHT." The group then gives a very impressive acapella rendition of "CAROL OF THE BELLS". I find myself hitting the repeat button quite often with this song. Rounding out the recording is Donna's 11-year-old daughter, Jenna, as she makes her recording debut on the song, "WHO WOULD IMAGINE A KING?".
I have always found it very hard to review Christmas CDs; therefore, I just never reviewed them. But after almost 5 years of being with SoGospelNews, I have finally found a Christmas recording I can shout about. My only observation is that it appears that half the recording is done with someone else's soundtracks and the other half is done with original tracks or done acapella. Nonetheless though, this is a wonderful collection of songs that you will find yourself listening to over and over again.
Reader Comments





