Forget the ethnocentric nature of some resposes. ANYONE who is a lover of music will love this disc. Wonderful work is done here on some very familiar songs, such as the Boys Choir of Harlem's rendition of "Glory To God". "And The Glory of the Lord", "A Child Is Born", and "Every Valley Shall Be Exalted" are nothing short of contemporary masterpieces.

The best, however is the Hallelujah Chorus. It must be played loud, in the house, in the car, in the office, or anywhere else. It is the most inspiring music I have ever heard. Somewhere, Handel is smiling and marvelling at what has come from the wonder which he penned two centuries ago.

Everyone should own this disc!


Groovin' With The Messiah!   November 30, 1999
Kellie Sisson Snider (Irving, Texas)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is our tree trimming music now- and has been ever since I found it quite by accident a few years ago while trying to learn the Rejoice solo. I must admit that THIS Rejoice is the best, and I know it enhanced my, definitely more traditional, performance. Methinks perhaps that the reviewer for Amazon was a tad proud of him/herself the day the review was written. After a couple of egg nogs that reviewer will be groovin' with the rest of us!


This ain't your grandfather's "Messiah!"   December 9, 2001
Reginald D. Garrard (Camilla, GA USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

To say that this recording features "an all-star cast" is to speak mildly. One of the most elegantly produced and dynamically performed renditions of Handel masterpiece, "A Soulful Celebration" boasts not only the vocal gifts of the singers but the instrumental wizardry of the session musicians.

Venessa Bell Armstrong and Daryl Coley are triumphant with "Comfort Ye My People." In a calypso-influenced "And the Glory of the Lord," Dianne Reeves shines. Patti Austin leads the evocative "But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming." The smooth stylings of Howard Hewitt are heard in "Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive." Stevie Wonder, backed by Take 6, adds his unique voice to "O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion."

Other contributors are The Boys Choir of Harlem ("Glory to God"), The Yellowjackets ("Behold the Lamb of God"), Al Jarreau ("Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage?") and Tevin Campbell ("I Know The My Redeemer Liveth").

The high point of the release is the final cut, a get-down-on-your-feet performance of "The Hallelujah Chorus." This version has been a favorite of many choirs nationwide in their annual Christmas extravaganzas, and for just one reason: IT IS JAMMIN'.


Inspired re-working   June 12, 2003
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is an amazing re-take on Handel's inspired work, streets ahead of the very 80s-sounding version which came out before it (Handel's Young Messiah). It's such an effective collaboration of hot musicians and conglomeration of afro-american musical styles. Highlights as follows:

*The Overture (Track 1): a terrific hasty journey through the history of black music, including spiritual, ragtime, gospel, disco, hip-hop... and all using Handel's original tune!
*"But Who May Abide" (Track 5): the original alto/bass aria (depending on which edition you read from), but adapted by Patti Austin. Her vocals are outstanding - full of soul and integrity. The BV's are unbelievably good too.
*"O Thou that Tellest" (Track 8): the original alto aria, adapted by Take 6 and Stevie Wonder - so how could it possibly go wrong? Well, it doesn't! Close harmony and Stevie's classic voice - oh, yeah...
*"For Unto Us a Child is Born" (Track 9): the original opening chorus, shifted a little later into the work, and sung by Sounds of Blackness. Still very recognisable, but with more funky rhythms - and partly sung in Swahili!!
*"Why do the Nations So Furiously Rage Together?" (Track 14): The original bass aria, arranged by Mervyn Warren for big band (and WHAT A BIG BAND IT IS - Buddy Rich would be proud), with lead vocals by Al Jarreau. This one REALLY cooks!

If you have not yet seen the signs, there are some stunningly awesome muzos on this album, and the result is amazing! I have to add, as a great fan of the original work (preferably with Baroque period instruments), this CD is a great compliment to Handel - who (fortunately!) recognised the importance of his composition, and encouraged future composers to keep adapting it to suit the times. This succeeds - and then some!