Credits:

Kirk Whalum

Description:

Kirk Waylam, winner of the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song, is the second Christmas theme album in 20 years, and is a luxury album with a splendid lineup of guest performers, including Take 6. He is a veteran musician as well as a pastor, and while based on jazz and fusion, his greatest appeal is the soul/gospel feeling that overflows from him. He has played on the albums of many major artists, including Barbra Streisand, Al Jarreau, and Quincy Jones. In fact, he is also known as the saxophonist on Whitney Houston's classic "Always Love You. His presence is exceptional among saxophonists active in the crossover field. His versatile musicality has earned him numerous awards.Three-time Dove Award nominee, NAACP Image Award nominee, two-time winner of the Stellar Award, gospel's highest honor, 12-time Grammy Award nominee, first Grammy Award winner in 2011 for Best Gospel Song (for "It's What I Do" featuring Lalah Hathaway). In 2011, she received her first Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song (for "It's What I Do," featuring Lalah Hathaway). He is also popular with the public, with his name being engraved on the Memphis Walk of Fame and the Nashville Walk of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments. This is his second Christmas-themed album in 20 years, the first being "The Christmas Message" in 2001. The album asks the question, "How Does Christmas Sound?" and presents a more spiritual and introspective Christmas sound. More than just a cheerful carol performance, it is a new type of Christmas album that offers a moment of soulful reflection for those who enjoy Christmas, and healing for those who do not.The album features groovy vocals on (1) and (7) and cutting-edge South London jazz on (8), as well as a number of quiet instrumental pieces, making this an album that you will want to listen to even outside of the Christmas season.

Tracklisting:

1.How Does Christmas Sound?
2.All I Want for Christmas Is You
3.What are You Doing New Year's Eve?
4.God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5.Mary, Did You Know?
6.Thorns in the Straw
7.Seven
8.Angels We Have Heard On High
9.Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
10.A Babe Is Born
11.In the Bleak Midwinter
12.Lift Every Voice and Sing