Opening with a very formal arrangement of the extremely difficult "O Holy Night," Jackson shows her amazing range in both voice and material--but the rigidity of the arrangement holds her voice just a shade too tightly for complete comfort. But with "What Child is This," a true magic rings out, and it remains a constant from the popular "Silver Bells" to the gospel-inflected "No Room at the Inn" and the low-key and spine chilling "Silent Night," the latter of which may well be one of the single finest recordings ever made of that classic.

Indeed, much the same may be said for many of the songs here; after hearing Jackson's "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "The First Noel," and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," it becomes difficult to think of many singers who could take such frequently-heard songs and make them seem theirs alone. And her unshakeable faith in God gives a power to these carols that recordings by other artists seem to lack. It is a conviction and belief that radiates through every note, every breath. Surely, as the liner notes state, it seems like Mahalia Jackson went to heaven and then came back to sing about it.

Many of these recordings are monoaural, but the sound quality of this recording is very fine, and Jackson easily transcends the recording limitations of her era. This is a wonderful recording, and if it is missing from your collection--you're missing a Christmas blessing from one of the finest singers God ever gave breath. Strongly recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer


Probably the best Christmas CD - EVER   December 21, 2004
JoJo (Los Angeles, CA United States)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I have many Christmas CDs, from classics by Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Nana Mouskouri and Bing Crosby to modern jems by Jewel, Toni Braxton and Chris Isaak and modern atrocities by Christina Aguilera and Destiny's Child---and this one stands heads and shoulders above the rest. Her religious conviction, the timeless, traditional songs, the power of her voice and the classic, tasteful arrangements come together and deliver a CD that truly, truly, truly captures the essence of Christmas. Wonderful.


I love Mahalia Jackson!   July 4, 2006
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I love Mahalia jackson,she was an awesome gospel singer with an unique and distictive voice that made her stand out from the rest.Her Christmas songs are truly classics like;Joy to the World,Go tell It on the Mountain,Sweet Little Jesus Boy,Hark The Herald Angels Sing and many others.If you are a true Mahalia Jackson fan you must and I mean must get this tape!Case closed.


Mahalia.   February 25, 2003
Akethan (Arlington, VA United States)
2 out of 6 found this review helpful

Hallelujah... there is nothing more to say on the subject.


Simply the Greatest!!!   October 12, 2005
M. Thorn (Washington, DC)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

This is an awesome CD!! This is the 5th copy I have purchased for friends. Her rendition of "Silver Bells" is the best I have heard. I remember as a child, my parents playing this song on christmas eve. Mom was baking cookies and Dad was staying out of her way!! Pick this one up, you won't will not be sorry!!!