Kelly Price - One Family (A Christmas Album)
And ya'll should know about this. Kelly Price? C'mon!!!
Although this project came out in 2001, I considered this to be part of the "Christmas Soul" category of the Back In The Day Page. For the many Traditional standards Kelly sang her heart on, from "One Christmas", it should easily qualify!!
Mrs. Price came with a roster of strong talents for this one. It features Bebe Winans, Shirley Murdock, The Williams Bros., Donnie McClurkin, Wynonna Judd, Ben Tankard, Mary Mary, Jonia Rolle, Jeffrey Rolle Jr., & yours truly - Mr. George Duke! In fact, George produced a number of tracks & contributed instrumentally in the piano & keyboard dept, as well as several other backings.
Track Listing:
~ Silent Night
~ One Family
~ In Love At Christmas (feat Mary Mary)
~ Go Tell It
~ If I Lose Christmas (feat Jonia Rolle, Jeffery Rolle, Jr., & Ben Tankard)
~ What Child Is This
~ Ave Maria
~ Mary's Song (feat Wynonna Judd)
~ X Mas Medley...
Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
It Came Upon A Midnight Star
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
~ Oh Come All Ye Faithful
~ Messiah Has Come
Where do I start? Put on "One Family" & witness the family gathering in Kelly, Claudia Price, Cheree Price-Owens, Sakina Price, Celeste Hicks, & Joni Norman. When these ladies graced the verses, they GRACED the verses! Check the spoken word from Bishop Jerome Norman!; "In Love At Christmas (feat Mary Mary)" carried the signature mid-tempo groove that Kelly is well known for, with of course help from Mary Mary.; Slowing things back down for the seasonal approach to her CD came "If I Lose Christmas" & listen to the beautiful harmonies Jonia Rolle & Jeffrey Rolle Rolle Jr., sang to the composition, as well as the piano performance done by Gospel man Ben Tankard.
"Ave Maria" was something completely different from Kelly. That track needs to be heard in its entirety in order for you to really appreciate it. It showcased Paul Jackson on the acoustic guitar as well...
Finally, The vocal connections in Ragsdale, Bebe Winans, Shirley Murdock, The Williams Bros., & Donnie McClurkin breathes true blessings in "Oh Come All Ye Faithful". Additional vocals were provided by The Born Again Church Choir & the song deserves honorable mention!!
The whole CD is warm, romantic, sentimental & spiritual. Mrs. Price also had some great assistance in the production dept from Donald Lawrence, Warren "Baby Dub" Campbell, Donnie McClurkin, & Shep Crawford. The music was hip at times, along with some essence of gospel & some sprinkles of Traditional & Urban R&B. Overall, the CD is very appealing & I applaud her approach for making this project reach to the family demographic of listeners. You can playback this CD at dinner time, evening parties (or day), & background events.
Merry Christmas!
Terrill J. Hanna
The Urban Music Scene
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