Product Description

You don't just hear gospel music, you feel it.

At the heights of its power, this uniquely American art form connects the spirit of the writer, performer and listener with a truth much higher than presents travails. The notes, rhythms, and lyrics paint a picture of the ongoing tale of struggle, persecution, redemption and freedom. Blues, rock and roll, r&b, country and even modern hip hop and rap music have all been influenced by the sound and soul of gospel. It has faced down the bleak days of slavery, depression, violence and fear with a tear in its eye and a promise on its lips.

On Oh Happy Day, a wide array of contemporary artists has been paired with some of today's leading gospel voices and legendary choirs. Together they explore a batch of gospel standards and main-stream hits that were clearly inspired by the old soulful sound and feel of gospel.

It's an all-star celebration that just might take you someplace higher if you let it.

Track listing:

1. I Believe - Jonny Lang (with the Fisk Jubilee Singers)

2. Presence Of The Lord - 3 Doors Down (with Soul Children of Chicago)

3. Higher Ground - Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters

4. Keep The Faith - Jon Bon Jovi (with Washington Youth Choir)

5. People Get Ready - Al Green & Heather Headley

6. Waiting For My Child To Come Home - Mavis Staples & Patty Griffin

7. Storm Before The Calm - Michael McDonald (with West Angeles Cogic Mass Choir)

8. Redemption Song - Angelique Kidjo

9. A Change Is Gonna Come - Aaron Neville (with Mt. Zion Mass Choir)

10. Oh Happy Day - Queen Latifah (with Jubilation)

11. This Little Light Of Mine - Joss Stone & Buick Audra

Track Listing

1. I Believe - Jonny Lang
2. Presence of the Lord - 3 Doors Down
3. Higher Ground - The Clark Sisters, , Robert Randolph
4. Keep the Faith - Jon Bon Jovi, , Washington DC Youth Choir
5. People Get Ready - Al Green, Heather Headley
6. Waiting for My Child to Come Home - Patty Griffin, Mavis Staples
7. Storm Before the Calm - Michael McDonald
8. Redemption Song - Angélique Kidjo
9. Change Is Gonna Come - Aaron Neville
10. Oh Happy Day - Queen Latifah
11. This Little Light of Mine - Buick Audra, Joss Stone

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2694 in Music
• Published on: 2009
• Released on: 2009-10-06
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

"Oh Happy Day" is a joy
I could do without the Jon Bon Jovi track, but this whole album is a delight. It finds a good balance between diversity of style and arrangements, without splintering into a million pieces. And the material deserves it.

This album is great
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this album was wonderful. The diversity of groups and sounds in incredible. I loved every single cut and recommended it hightly. Think Michael McDonald or Aaron Neville or even Jon Bon Jovi singing with a gospel choir. My new favorite cd.

Make a Joyful Noise, for I Can't Set Down!!
This CD is simply a heck of a lot of fun. I remember when "Oh Happy Day" first hit the charts in the late 60s, and recall that Edwin Hawkins and crew caught a lot of flack from area church officials for performing in secular venues, not to mention that there were petitions to rock stations not to play the song, since, evidently, sacred songs should not be contaminated by association with such devil's music.

But my, how the times have changed!! God is not dead (as was touted back then in that famous slogan ripped off from Nietzsche), the devil does not have a monoploy on good tunes (he never did--read the psalms) nor rhythms (not to mention the rich, moving, even sensuous voices), and genre-melding is no longer the no-no it once was. Even if you're not a gospel fan, this compilation will have you tapping your feet at the very least, especially if you enjoy classic soul and R&B. Smart, sassy arrangements, songs of verve and hope, and a well-paced sequence makes this CD a winner. I want MORE!!