Search - Edwin Hawkins :: Oh Happy Day Reunion

Black Choral Gospel at it's rawest power

Andre M. | Mt. Pleasant, SC United States | 08/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD will remind you of an actual service on Sunday morning in a Black church with a strong youth choir. You can almost see the sisters with their elaborate hats and little girls with Shirley-Temple curls when you listen to this one. This was recorded live at the Ephisian Church of God in Christ in Berkely, Ca. in June of 1968 on an old-fashioned Ampex recorder. The record company bought the tape as is and thus this album/CD. Yes, crude technonolgy for the audiophiles, but that gives this a down-home feeling that's part of the charm. If you can listen to "Oh Happy Day", "In My Father's House," I'm Coming Through" etc. and STILL be in a bad mood, then you REALLY have problems! Enjoy!"

Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy, Joy will Come!

Jon L. Swearingen | Southwest, NM United States | 10/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most folks of Boomer age will instantly recognize "Oh Happy Day" as a popular radio tune.... Moving into the album from track one you get a rich, mellow piano intro and Choral blending of " Let us go into the House of the Lord"... an instant balming wash of goodness... turn it Up! A couple of fast clappin' numbers later you are at My Favorite... "Joy, Joy"... If you are looking for some Godly assistance, this tune is a magical blessing you should take a moment to enjoy. I get teary-eyed just thinking of how much you and I need this kind of music in our lives. We keep it on the Disk carousel all the time at our house... Send one to your friends in need."

HALLELUJAH

D.V. Lindner | King George, VA, USA | 03/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As I write this I see it's not available new but only used, and A-Com has dropped the track listings. No problem, BUY it used, if you must and then program it's 10 tracks into your player in this order: 4/ 9/ 3/ 8/ 1/ 6/ 10/ 2/ 5/ 7. The last two tracks will now be 'Precious Memories,' & 'I Shall Be Free.' I confess I'm not familiar with these, but the remaining eight comprise the entire program of their breakthrough LP of 1969, and there, I am an authoritative fan. Originally titled, "Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord," the LP began a 23 week crossover stay on the Pop LP chart on 5-03-69, peaking at #15. It was produced by LaMont Bench and all songs arranged, adapted & directed by Edwin R. Hawkins
The title song amounts to a 2 & 1/4 minute hello to the listener, and once you know the material better, you'll realize the group is only clearing it's throat here.
"Jesus, Lover Of My Soul," is a percolating mid-tempo number, that was chosen as B-side to the single of 'Oh Happy Day.' Get yourself ready in its 4:15 time for the unleashing of heavenly joy.
"To My Father's House," is next and, if you're a lucky baby-boomer like myself, to have heard and SEEN the performance of this one in its time, you know it's might. Soloist Elaine Kelly steps down out of the choir for her verses here. Big, bosomy, the proto-type welcoming earth-mother. A voice and a demeanor that gathered me in her arms, took me to her 'father's house' thirty years ago and I've never left. The tune ends fittingly with a little spontaneous self applause by the choir, realizing a job well done.
"I'm Going Through" is next with soloist Margarette Branch's verses first and the choir then joining her with fiery power. I want this song (and 'Joy Joy') played at my funeral, if not the whole LP. At this point you turned the original LP over to side 2, and it's remaining four songs.
"Oh Happy Day," needs little new praise. Dorothy Combs Morrison's lead vocal and the work of her choirmates took this song to No. 4 on Billboard by May 31, 1969. Pop audiences then listening to 'Get Back,' 'In The Ghetto,' & 'Bad Moon Rising,' didn't know what hit them. Those of us wise enough to then delve further into the group's repertoire owe unending thanks to this key performance.
"I Heard The Voice Of Jesus" is another mid-tempo providing the perfect bridge between the jubilation of 'Day,' and the stomp that's coming. It's quieter passages are song by the co-ed trio of Trumaine Davis, Rueben Franklin & Donald Cashmere.
"Early In The Morning" is the most righteously raucous number. You couldn't ignore the group and soloist Betty Watson's work here if you were in a coma. Watson was also (then) the choir's directoress. Just try and listen to this number without moving or sweating.
"Joy Joy" opens with three minutes of co-solos by Trumaine Davis & Ruth Lyons. Bracing & powerful, but calming and necessary after the hurricane of 'Early,' which proves why the original sequencing is so important here.
Who do I think I am sounding like such an authority of this record? Well, I bought my first LP version of it in December of '70 and, in a year's time, the original blue Pavilion label of it was worn completely white at the center hole traveling around the spindle of my phono. You should also know, despite the cover photo here, for the eight tracks I've addressed myself to, the group was then a powerful 48-voices strong. And I once counted the 'Go with me' chorus in 'To My Father's House' - there's 49 of them."