Oh Happy Day Reunion

Track Listings

1. I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me

2. When You Try

3. Listen To The Rain

4. I Heard The Voice

5. Jesus, Lover of My Soul

6. I'm Going Through

7. Oh Happy Day

8. Footprints Of Jesus

9. Mine All Mine

10. Praise Him

11. Here's The Reason

12. Early In The Morning

13. Jesus, That's My King

14. All You Need

Tracks:

I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me - Edwin Hawkins
When You Try - Edwin Hawkins
Listen To The Rain - Jewell Pittman/Walter Hawkins
I Heard The Voice - Edwin Hawkins
Jesus, Lover Of My Soul - Edwin Hawkins
I'm Going Through - Sylvia Guiton
Oh Happy Day - Edwin Hawkins/Shirley Miller
Footprints Of Jesus - Adrienne Kryor
Mine All Mine - Edwin Hawkins
Praise Him - Elaine J. Kelly/Edwin Hawkins
Here's The Reason - Ruth Lyons
Early In The Morning - Betty Watson-Dixon
Jesus, That's My King - Shirley Miller
All You Need - Walter Hawkins

Customer Reviews:

HALLELUJAH (ditto) .......2003-11-20

This record is too good for words... Just wanted to thank D.V. Lindner for your great review and all the information that I would have otherwise not known. I hope your're getting paid for this!

HALLELUJAH.......2003-03-06

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.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me
2. When You Try
3. Listen To The Rain
4. I Heard The Voice
5. Jesus, Lover of My Soul
6. I'm Going Through
7. Oh Happy Day
8. Footprints Of Jesus
9. Mine All Mine
10. Praise Him
11. Here's The Reason
12. Early In The Morning
13. Jesus, That's My King
14. All You Need