I don't know if there is a better way to welcome in Sunday than with the "Hallelujah Chorus". But in saying that, I do hear a voice in my head that says "if you have the 'Hallelujah Chorus' sung by those sisters you like so much, that would be even better." So there we have it, if I bring Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy in for the song, that would make is amazing. So here it is, everyone, The Roches with their own version of "The Hallelujah Chorus".
To learn more about the Roches, visit the official website. You can also 'like' them on Facebook. The "Hallelujah Chorus" can be found on their third album, "Keep On Doin'". You can purchase the album from iTunes and Amazon.
A wonderful version of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus". The artists featured in this video are Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Patti Austin, Bernie K., Daryl Coley, Commissioned, Andraé Crouch, Sandra Crouch, Clifton Davis, Charles Dutton, Kim Fields, Larnelle Harris, Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Linda Hopkins, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Lizz Lee, Dawnn Lewis, Babbie Mason, Johnny Mathis, Marilyn McCoo, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osborne, David Pack, Phylicia Rashad, Joe Sample, Richard Smallwood, Sounds Of Blackness, Take 6, Darryl Tookes, Mervyn Warren, Thomas Whitfield, Vanessa Williams, Chris Willis, Mike E., Kim Fleming, Angela Wright, and Gayle Mayes.
They are Maggie & Terre & Suzzy, Maggie & Terre & Suzzy Roche. They have enchanted me with their amazing and interesting harmonies since I first heard their music, via my friend Allen Moyer, back close to 30 years ago, when I was still in college and Allen was designing a set we were working on. Allen went on to be nominated for a Tony Award for his design of Grey Gardens in 2007. I was an instant fan of the sisters, and their holiday album, We Three Kings, is one of my favorites of the season. I hope you enjoy this clip of them singing an assortment of those songs.
And, in keeping with the spirit of the holidays, here they are singing The Hallelujah Chorus in 1982, live at the Improv in New York City.
You can find out more about The Roches on their website.
I am a recent convert to the bewitching charms of the voice the brilliant and sexy Jason Walker. He recently released a new album, Leave It All Behind, and I received notice from Rich Overton of RJO Artists, who represent him. Now I am very aware that RJO Artists have promoted some of my favorite artists, so I figured he was worth checking out. I did, and this is what I found/heard.
What a revelation this man is! That voice, it just soars. So I had to hustle over to iTunes and buy the album, and listen. Oh, mama, did I love what I heard. From the opening note to the last one, I was listening to what this man sang, and was buying it all the way. Sign me up, I am on the Jason train, Mr. Walker! And as my new musical crush, I just had to include him on this holiday collection, and he was kind enough to add his thoughts to the blog.
For instance, this holiday season, what music does Jason want to hear playing? "I adore Mariah's All I Want For Christmas," he answered eagerly, "and Sarah McLaughlin's holiday album.....and the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soundtrack with Burl Ives.....and the soundtrack to Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas.....my personal favorite holiday special," he said, smiling.
Lord only knows I can't deny Jason Walker at this point, cause all he'd have to do is look at me with the gorgeous eyes, sing one bar, and I would be at his feet begging for mercy, so I'll have to keep him happy and say that we will now be seeing the video of Mariah Carey singing O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus.
Now, I really am interested in what Jason will answer for the next question. He can and does sing in so many styles, be it Hi NRG dance music to Gospel, to power Pop ballads. I need to know, of all the holiday songs, what song would be his favorite to perform. "O Holy Night," he answered, without hesitation. I think about it, and think I would really like to hear that! But until I can, I will offer up a video of one of my favorite early divas singing the song. Johnny Mathis kicks song ass on O Holy Night.
With 2011 less than two weeks away, what are Jason's hopes for the coming year? "SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!," he says with exuberance. And with his pipes, his amazing looks, and the love he has for the music, I don't know if anything could stand in his way.
I gotta ask it, cause I am such a nosey guy. What music has Jason liked from this year, that he likes to listen to when he's not singing. "That's a tough one...." he ponders, then tells me, "picking one...I loved La Roux, and Robyn's latest 3 EP's, and GaGa." Lots of good stuff, to be sure, but I have to think if Lady GaGa heard his music, she'd be playing Jason Walker on her iPod.
In keeping with the holiday theme, I will return to one of Jason's holiday picks, and post Sarah McLaughlin singing an absolutely gorgeous version of O Little Town Of Bethlehem.
What is on the horizon for Jason Walker? As a fan, I had to ask what he is looking forward to musically in 2011. "More Music!," he exclaimed, "Lots more music!!!!" I will second that emotion, cause I can't wait to hear more from the talented man. I am still wanting to catch a live show, letting him take me places with his performance. Here is an example, with Jason singing the first cut off the album, I Am Changing, at a recent live show in New York City.
Yes, that works for me. A man with a gift, singing a song the way it was meant to be sung. For more about Jason Walker, check out his official website here. Go there an listen to more of his music, and find the links to all the places you can find him. You can find his latest album, Leave It All Behind, on iTunes here. You'll want to own it, I can assure you.
On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "Random Acts of Culture" at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers. This event is one of 1,000 "Random Acts of Culture" to be funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation over the next three years. The initiative transports the classical arts out of the concert halls and opera houses and into our communities to enrich our everyday lives. To learn more about this program and view more events, visit here. The Opera Company thanks Macy's and the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ (here) for their partnership, as well as Organ Music Director Peter Conte and Fred Haas, accompanists; OCP Chorus Master Elizabeth Braden, conductor; and Sound Engineer James R. Stemke. For a complete list of participating choirs and more information, visit here. This event was planned to coincide with the first day of National Opera Week.
The Hallelujah Chorus as performed by the monks of St. Francis de la Sissies despite their vow of silence. Thanks to the Portland Gay Men's Chorus, who included this as part of the 2007 Holiday performance.
In the spirit of the memorial service held for Michael Jackson, I thought perhaps a nice video might be in order. So I thought of the Hallelujah Chorus, as sung by sisters Maggie and Terre and Suzzy, better known as The Roches.
Their use of harmonies is just mind-boggling to me. Their self-titled album was just a breathe of fresh air when it was released in 1979, and I still listen to it. They are smart, witty, and just a bit on the quirky side, but still amazing.
They also put out a Christmas CD that is one of my favorites of the season. I am so happy to pull out We Three Kings every Thanksgiving, just to hear them have such great fun with some classic music.
You can find out more about The Roches on their website.
