Mary Mary (A Mary Mary Christmas) - Reviews

Mary Mary
A Mary Mary Christmas

With their distinctive moniker, you might think the duo was pegged for a Christmas release from get-go. Instead, it's the first seasonal release for the Grammy-winning sister set, as Mary Mary deliver the sensationally titled A Mary Mary Christmas.

The Mary Mary sound is large and bigger than ever on this 11-cut set, as they lay their signature vibe over not only a handful of classics, but also a good selection of orignals. Warryn Campbell produces the entire project.

"'Tis The Season" kicks off the album, a joyous, Latin-influenced cut that gets you on your feet immediately. It's followed by the equally grooving "Only One", that Mary Mary fashion into a praise to the Messiah.

Mary Mary bring in their own Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer for spoken word segments interspersed into "Still The Lamb", a closely-harmonized, down-tempo reminder that Jesus was, and remains the Lamb of God.

Marvin Winans Jr. writes "The Real Thing", a poignant reminder that Jesus is not just about a holiday. Rather, He's the One and only answer to everything, and Mary Mary tenderly tell the story over guitar and keyboards.

A Mary Mary Christmas

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Dontae Winslow on trumpet joins with the Marys on "Merry Little Christmas", a remake that combines equal parts jazz and soul, to a backdrop of piano and Winslow's restrained artistry. "Call Him Jesus" is an original piece in traditional church style, written by Warryn Campbell. Church drive and Mary Mary's lead vocals set this one apart.

On "O Come All Ye Faithful", Mary Mary deliver their lines in the traditional manner, but set into a frenetic soundscape that includes busy percussion, strings (arranged by Jerry Peters) and South African styled backing vocals.

Also included is the warm novelty cut, "California Christmas", in which Mary Mary detail the particulars of a Christmas day "the Cali way" in balladic form, demonstrating that Christ's birth (obviously) need not be accompanied by snow and flakes to be celebrated. Damani adds a guest rap on a fun, chunky remix of the cut.

Rounding out the album is "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" and "Carol of the Bells", both classics disassembled and then put back together again in the mold of Mary Mary.

It's A Mary Mary Christmas alright.

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Production: Warryn Campbell album release date: October 10, 2006
Columbia Records

— reviewed by Stan North —