Christmas

by Kirk Franklin, Kirk Franklin & the Family

Overview

It's not surprising that Kirk Franklin's second album, Christmas, sold over 500,000 copies in the first 14 weeks after it was released. This album is filled with 11 Christmas songs presented in true Franklin fashion. The album begins with calypso-like music and a sincere Christmas greeting from Franklin. Then the man and his 17 backup singers (the Family) begin singing an abbreviated version of "Silent Night" before proceeding to sing about God's amazing love in "Now Behold the Lamb." Both these songs are presented in a mellow, traditional gospel style, allowing the listener to relax. Just as the listener is lulled into a sense of tranquility, the album goes into an upbeat, contemporary hip-hop song, "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season." It's a slight jolt to the system because it's unexpected, but the song is worth the little shock. Although the lyrics aren't profound, the song is entertaining and will leave the listener wanting to get up, dance, and proclaim, "Jesus IS the reason!" "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season" and "Now Behold a Lamb" are the songs that make this album. Both were hits on CCM radio, and the album is worth getting for these songs alone. Unfortunately, the album's impact decreases after the third track. The only other noteworthy song is "They Need to Know." The remaining seven songs are good, but lack the edge that drew the listener to the album in the first place. ~ Diana Moes VandeHoef

Product Details

Release Date:	10/16/2020
Label:	Rca / Rca Inspiration
UPC:	0194398033419
Rank:	8303

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Silent Night
2. Now Behold the Lamb
3. Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
4. Go Tell It On The Mountain
5. They Need To Know

Disc 2

6. There's No Christmas Without You
7. O Come All Ye Faithful
8. The Night That Christ Was Born
9. Thank You For Your Child
10. Love Song
11. Silver And Gold (Remix)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kirk Franklin & the Family   Primary Artist
Kirk Franklin   Primary Artist,Vocals
Jerome Harmon   Organ,Keyboards
Rickey Grundy   Strings
Eric Morgan   Drums
Dalon Collins   Vocals
God's Property   Vocals (Background)
Jeanette Johnson   Vocals
Jerome Allen   Bass
David A. Mann   Vocals
Carrie Young-Davis   Vocals
Stephanie Glynn   Vocals
Keisha Grandy   Vocals
Buster & Shavoni   Percussion,Synthesizer
Sheila Brice   Vocals
David Mann   Vocals
Bobby Sparks   Piano,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Chris Simpson   Vocals
Donald Hayes   Saxophone
Tamela Mann   Vocals
Ray Fuller   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)

Technical Credits

Craig Burbioge   Engineer
Greg Allen   Photography
Franz Gruber   Composer
Joseph Mohr   Composer
Pete Seeger   Composer
Ronnie Gilbert   Composer
John Francis Wade   Composer
Myron Butler   Composer
Buster Brown   Engineer
Kirk Franklin & the Family   Composer
Fred Hellerman   Composer
Steve Hall   Mastering
Frederick Oakeley   Composer
Lee Hays   Composer
Tim Kimsey   Assistant Engineer
Desi   Make-Up
Wendy McFadden   Art Direction
Maynard Matthews   Hair Stylist
David A. Mann   Composer
Stephanie Glynn   Composer
Phillip Hooker   Assistant
Monica Bacon   Production Coordination
Buster & Shavoni   Mixing,Overdubs,Producer
John W. Work II   Composer
Vicki Mack Lataillade   Executive Producer
Neily Dickerson   Project Coordinator
Dee Clinkscale   Vocal Ad-Libs
David Mann   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Kirk Franklin   Arranger,Composer,Producer
John Reading   Composer
Craig Burbidge   Engineer