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Vickie Winans:Holiday Music ReviewReviewing Happy Holidays From Vickie Winans
Vickie Winans' promotional material promises "new arrangements and music color", but they all say that. The difference here is that she actually delivers.
Happy Holidays From Vickie Winans is one of the truly fresh Christmas offerings so far, one that any Christmas lover can easily enjoy. It is also the first release from Winan's very own Destiny Joy Records label, released just this past October 2. Track by TrackSizzling salsa horns open “Holiday Jam,” and things are jumping right outta the gate. The good news is that Winans never really lets the energy drop, keeping a vigorous exuberance cookin’ throughout the entire 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. It, too, is irresistible. From Laughing to WorshipAs 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 and fuzzy track. But Vickie knows how and when to get serious, too, giving full passion to the classic “Mary Did You Know?” Closing Tracks“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. The emotional delivery of the closer is a bit surprising, Michael McDonald’s “Peace,” until you realize it was dedicated to Winans’ close friend and collaborator Kayla Parker, who lost a ten-year battle with cancer earlier this year. But 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 and turning you onto some joyous new ones, you really must consider Vickie Winans’ “Happy Holidays.”
The copyright of the article Vickie Winans:Holiday Music Review in Christian Music is owned by Kevan Breitinger. Permission to republish Vickie Winans:Holiday Music Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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