1992 Various – Handel’s Messiah / A Soulful Celebration

Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration is a gospel album by various artists, released in 1992 on Warner Alliance. Executive produced by Norman Miller, Gail Hamilton and Mervyn Warren, it is a reinterpretation of the 1741 oratorio Messiah by George Friedrich Händel, and has been widely praised for its use of multiple genres of African-American music, including spirituals, blues, ragtime, big band, jazz fusion, R&B and hip hop.

The album received the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, as well as the 1992 Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year. In 1993, the various recording artists participating in the project were collectively nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist.

Tracks

1 Overture: A Partial History Of Black Music 05:13
(a) African
(b) Negro Spiritual
(c) Ragtime
(d) Big Band
(e) Gospel
(f) Blues
(g) The 70’s
(h) Jazz Fusion
(i) Hip Hop
(j) House
2 Comfort Ye My People 05:47
3 Every Valley Shall Be Exalted 03:42
4 And The Glory Of The Lord 03:56
5 But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming 06:40
6 And He Shall Purify 04:36
7 Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive 03:58
8 O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion 03:53
9 For Unto Us a Child Is Born 03:52
10 Glory To God 04:53
11 Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion 05:10
12 Behold The Lamb Of God 04:35
13 Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates 05:13
14 Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage?  02:39
15 I Know That My Redeemer Liveth 06:00
16 Hallelujah 05:53

Musicians

1 Overture: A Partial History Of Black Music
(a) African

African Drums Mustafa Abdul-Aleem
African Drums Elmore Brantly
Keyboards Mervyn Warren
Programming Mervyn Warren
Sequencing Mervyn Warren
Percussion Mustafa Abdul-Aleem
Percussion Elmore Brantly


(b) Negro Spiritual

Choir Beverly Dent
Choir Angela Wright
Choir Marsha Wilson
Choir Kim Fleming
Choir Duane Hamilton
Choir Cedric Dent
Choir Chris Willis
Choir Bob Bailey
Choir Mervyn Warren
Vocal Janice Chandler


(c) Ragtime

Piano Dwayne Adell 


(d) Big Band

Arco Bass  Craig Nelson
Drums  James Blair
Piano Mervyn Warren
Brass Dennis Good
Brass Robert Green
Brass Chris McDonald
Brass Jeff Bailey
Brass Mike Haynes
Brass Denis Solee
Brass Sam Levine


(e) Gospel

Bass Victor Caldwell
Organ Fred Vaughn
Piano Mervyn Warren
Tambourine Eric Darken
Vocals  Donna McElroy
Vocals  Vicki Hampton
Vocals  Angela Wright
Vocals  Kim Fleming
Vocals  Mervyn Warren


(f) Blues

Guitar Michael Ellis Wright


(g) The 70’s

Drums Mervyn Warren
Drums  James Blair
Guitar Michael Ellis Wright
Keyboards Mervyn Warren
Programming Mervyn Warren
Sequencing Mervyn Warren


(h) Jazz Fusion

Keyboards Cedric Dent
Keyboards Ben Tankard
Programming Cedric Dent
Programming Ben Tankard
Sequencing Cedric Dent
Sequencing Ben Tankard


(i) Hip Hop

Keyboards Joe Hogue
Programming Joe Hogue
Sequencing Joe Hogue


(j) House

Keyboards Joe Hogue
Programming Joe Hogue
Sequencing Joe Hogue


2 Comfort Ye My People

Bass Jackie Street
Drum (Programming) Mark Hammond
Guitar Tom Hemby
Keyboards Mervyn Warren
Programming Mervyn Warren
Sequencing Mervyn Warren
Sax Mark Douthit
Background vocals Donna McElroy
Background vocals Bob Bailey
Background vocals Vicki Hampton
Background vocals Chris Willis
Background vocals Angela Wright
Background vocals Mervyn Warren
Vocals  Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Vocals  Daryl Coley


3 Every Valley Shall Be Exalted

Drums (Programming) Mark Hammond
Guitar Michael Ellis Wright
Keyboards Mervyn Warren
Keyboards Mark Kibble
Programming Mervyn Warren
Programming Mark Kibble
Sequencing Mervyn Warren
Sequencing Mark Kibble
Brass Chris McDonald
Brass George Tidwell
Brass Mike Haynes
Background Vocals Mark Kibble
Background Vocals Mervyn Warren
Background Vocals Donna McElroy
Rap Michael Ellis Wright
Vocals  Liz Lee
Vocals  Chris Willis


4 And The Golory Of The Lord

Bass Abraham Laboriel Sr
Drums Ricky Lawson
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Keyboards Charles Mims
Synthesizer Charles Mims
Programming Charles Mims
Percussion  Rocky Deardrick
Background Vocals Phil Perry
Background Vocals Jim Gilstrap
Background Vocals Roy Galloway
Vocals  Dianne Reeves


5 But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming

Keyboards Greg Phillinganes
Keyboards David Pack
Programming John Lehmkuhl
Computer Bob McChesney
Violin Daniel Kobialka
Percussion David Pack
Percussion Greg Phillinganes
Background Vocals Patti Austin
Background Vocals David Pack
Background Vocals Greg Phillinganes
Vocals  Patti Austin


6 And He Shall Purify

Bass Jackie Street
Drums (Programming) Mark Hammond
Organ  Michael O Jackson
Piano  Michael O Jackson
Programming Mervyn Warren
Sequencing Mervyn Warren
Background Vocals Donna McElroy
Background Vocals Chris Willis
Background Vocals Angela Wright
Background Vocals Mervyn Warren
Background Vocals Bob Bailey
Background Vocals Vicki Hampton
Background Vocals Gayle Mayes
Vocals  Tramaine Hawkins


7 Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive

Keyboards George Duke
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Background Vocals Howard Hewett
Vocals  Howard Hewett


8 O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion

Vocals  Stevie Wonder 
Vocals  Take 6


9 For Unto Us A Child Is Born

1st Soprano Vocals Jayn Bell
1st Soprano Vocals Jamecia Bennett
1st Soprano Vocals Dorothy Brown
1st Soprano Vocals Sandra Harris
2nd Sopranos Vocals Angela Henderson
2nd Sopranos Vocals Wanda Lewis
2nd Sopranos Vocals Renee McCall
2nd Sopranos Vocals Ann Nesby
2nd Sopranos Vocals Cherly Reeves
2nd Sopranos Vocals Elizabeth Turner
1st Altos Vocals Core Cotton
1st Altos Vocals Shirely Marie Graham
1st Altos Vocals Carrie Harrington
1st Altos Vocals Valerie Johnson
2nd Altos Vocals Beverly Mahto
2nd Altos Vocals Alecia Russell
2nd Altos Vocals Dorothy Shelby
2nd Altos Vocals Dorothy Townes
2nd Altos Vocals Jennifer Whitlock
1st Tenors Vocals Kimberly Brown
1st Tenors Vocals Robert Edwards
1st Tenors Vocals Terrence Frierson
2nd Tenors Vocals Dr. Robert Jones
2nd Tenors Vocals Russell Knighton
2nd Tenors Vocals Patricia Lacy
2nd Tenors Vocals Bill Smith
2nd Tenors Vocals Craig Taylor
Baritones Vocals Trenson Graham
Baritones Vocals Billy Steele
Baritones Vocals James Wright
Bass Vocals Michael Bowens
Bass Vocals Freddie Winston
Bass Vocals David Brian Young
Bass Vocals Rev. Joseph Young Jr.
Background Vocals Sounds Of Blackness
Additional Vocals Michael Bowens
Additional Vocals Kimberly Brown
Additional Vocals Core Cotton
Additional Vocals Terrence Frierson
Additional Vocals David Young
Vocals  Core Cotton
Vocals  Jamecia Bennett
Vocals  James Wright
Vocals  Carrie Harrington
Vocals  Pat Lacy


10 Glory To God

Drums (Programming)  Robert Sadin
Keyboards Robert Sadin
Programming Robert Sadin
Programming Dave Darlington
Programming Jeff Dovner
Rap  Leaders Of The New School
Vocals The Boys Choir Of Harlem
Vocals Michelle Weeks


11 Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion

Bass Tim Linzy
Keyboards Bryant Pugh
Keyboards Richard Smallwood
Programming  Richard Smallwood
Programming  Bryant Pugh
Percussion  Terry McMillan
Vocals (*) Dennis Sawyers
Vocals (*) Carolene Evans
Vocals (*) Darlene Simmons
Vocals (*) Jacki Ruffin
Vocals (*) Richard Smallwood
   
*The Richard Smallwood Singers  


12 Behold The Lamb Of God feat. Yellowjackets

Bass Jimmy Haslip
Drums William Kennedy
Keyboards Russell Ferrante
Synclavier Steve Croes
Saxophone Bob Mintzer


13 Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates

Bass (Keyboards) Fred Hammond
Drum (Programming) Fred Hammond
Keyboards Timothy Carpenter
Keyboards Eddie Howard
Keyboards Fred Hammond
Vocals Commissioned & The Clark Sisters


14 Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage?

Arco Bass Jim Ferguson
Drums Chuck Tilley
Piano  Mervyn Warren
Brass Jerry Hey
Brass Chuck Findley
Brass Gary Grant
Brass Larry Hall
Brass Charlie Loper
Brass Lew McCreary
Brass Tom Malone
Brass George Bohanon
Brass Bill Reichenbach
Brass Dan Higgins
Brass Gerald Albright
Brass Kirk Whalum
Sax Solo Kirk Whalum
Vocals Al Jarreau


15 I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

Drums (Programming) Mark Hammond
Guitar Tom Hemby
Keyboards Mervyn Warren
Programming Mervyn Warren
Sequencing Mervyn Warren
Background vocals  Ray Davis
Background vocals  Chris Willis
Background vocals  Mervyn Warren
Vocals Tevin Campbell


16 Hallelujah!

Bass Victor Wooten
Drums (Programming) Mark Hammond
Keyboards Mervyn Warren
Piano Michael O Jackson
Programming Mervyn Warren
Sequencing Mervyn Warren
Brass Jerry Hey
Brass Gary Grant
Brass Bill Reichenbach
Brass Dan Higgins
Brass Larry Williams
French Horns Eberhard Ramm
French Horns Leslie Norton
Choir Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Choir Patti Austin
Choir Bernie Kimbell
Choir Daryl Coley
Choir Andraé Crouch
Choir Sandra Crouch
Choir Clifton Davis
Choir Charles Dutton
Choir Kim Fields
Choir Larnelle Harris
Choir Edwin Hawkins
Choir Tramaine Hawkins
Choir Linda Hopkins
Choir Al Jarreau
Choir Chaka Khan 
Choir Gladys Knight
Choir Lizz Lee
Choir Dwann Lewis
Choir Babbie Mason
Choir Johnny Mathis
Choir Marilyn McCoo
Choir Stephanie Mills
Choir Jeffrey Osborne
Choir David Pack
Choir Phylicia Rashad
Choir Joe Sample
Choir Richard Smallwood
Choir Sounds Of Blackness
Choir Take 6
Choir Darryl Tookes
Choir Mervyn Warren
Choir Thomas Whitfield
Choir Vanessa Williams
Choir Chris Willis
Choir Mike Ellis Wright
Background vocals Kim Fleming
Background vocals Angela Wright
Background vocals Gayle Mayes
Background vocals Donna McElroy
Background vocals Chris Willis
Background vocals Mervyn Warren
Background vocals Bob Bailey

Liner Notes

Produced By – Mervyn Warren (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 14, 15, 16)
Produced By – George Duke (Tracks 4, 7)
Produced By – David Pack (Track 5)
Co-Producer – Patti Austin (Track 5)
Produced By – Take 6 (Track 8)
Produced By – Gary D Hines (Track 9)
Produced By – Robert Sadin (Track 10)
Produced By – Richard Smallwood (Track 11)
Produced By – The Yellowjackets (Track 12)
Produced By – Fred Hammond (Track 13)
Ad Lib – Daryl Coley (Track 16)
Arranged By – Mervyn Warren (Tracks 1(a), 1(d), 1(e), 1(f), 1(g), 2, 14)
Arranged By – Mervyn Warren, Shelton Kilby (Tracks 1(b))
Arranged By – Mervyn Warren, Mark Kibble (Track 3)
Arranged By – George Duke (Track 7)
Arranged By – Mervyn Warren, Michael O Jackson (Track 15)
Arranged By – Mervyn Warren, Michael O Jackson, Mark Kibble (Track 16)
Arranged By – Dwayne Adell (Tracks 1(c))
Arranged By – Cedric Dent (Tracks 1(h), 8)
Arranged By – Joe Hogue (Track 1(i), 1(j))
Arranged By – Charles Mims (Track 4)
Arranged By – David Pack, Greg Phillinganes, Patti Austin (Track 5)
Arranged By – Gary Hines (Track 9)
Arranged By – Robert Sadin (Track 10)
Arranged By – Richard Smallwood (Track 11)
Arranged By – The Yellowjackets (Track 12)
Arranged By – Fred Hammond (Track 13)
Arranged By (Brass) – Jerry Hey (Track 16)
Arranged By (Rhythm) – David Pack, Greg Phillinganes, Patti Austin (Track 5)
Arranged By (Rhythm) – Michael O Jackson, Mervyn Warren (Track 6)
Arranged By (Vocals) – Patti Austin, David Pack (Track 5)
Arranged By (Vocals) – Michael O Jackson (Track 6)
Arranged By (Vocals) – Fred Hammond, Dorinda Clark Cole, Mitchell Jones (Track 13)
Conductor – Quincy Jones (Track 16)
Engineer – Randy Poole (Track 13)
Engineer (Choir) – Humberto Gatica (Track 16)
Engineer (Second) – Gil Morales, Chad Blinman
Engineer (Additional) – Craig Portails
Engineer (Additional Mix) – Ray Bardani
Engineer (Assistant ) – Ed Marx
Recorded By – Tony Shepperd (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 14, 15, 16)
Recorded By – Erik Zobler (Tracks 4, 7)
Recorded By – Barry Rudolph (Track 5)
Recorded By – Mike McCarthy (Track 8)
Recorded By – Gary Hines (Track 9)
Recorded By – Dave Darlington, Jeff Dovner, Mike Krowiak, Jack Hersce, Steve Boyer, Lane Craven, Gary Glugston (Track 10)
Recorded By – Roger Holmes, Carl Lucero, Chris Murphy (Track 11)
Recorded By – Mick Guzauski (Track 12)
Recorded By (Assistant) – David Hall (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 14, 15, 16)
Recorded By (Assistant) – Wayne Homes, Tonya McGinnis-Potvin (Tracks 4, 7)
Recorded By (Assistant) – Amy Hughes, Patrick Kelly (Track 8)
Recorded By (Assistant) – Bradley M. Yost, Steve Hodge (Track 9)
Recorded By (Assistant) – Suzie Dyer, Ben Arrindel (Track 9)
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Mixed By – Tony Shepperd (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 14, 15, 16)
Mixed By – Erik Zobler (Tracks 4, 7)
Mixed By Jess Sutcliffe, David Pack (Track 5)
Mixed By – Mike McCarthy (Track 8)
Mixed By – Steve Hodge (Track 9)
Mixed By – Axel Niehaus (Track 10)
Mixed By – Mick Guzauski (Track 12)
Mixed By – John Jaszcz (Track 13)
Mixed By (Assistant) – Mervyn Warren, David Hall, Amy Hughes (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 14, 15, 16)
Mixed By (Assistant) – Barry Rudolph (Tracks 4, 7)
Mixed By (Assistant) – Cedric Dent, David Thomas, Alvin Chea, Amy Hughes (Track 5)
Mixed By (Assistant)  – Chris Flam, Lisa Keller (Track 10)

Mastered At Masterfonics
Mixed At Woodland Digital, Nashville, TN
Mixed At Mama Jo’s, North Hollywood, CA
Mixed At Flyte Tyme Productions Inc, Edina, MN
Mixed At Platinum Island Studios
Mixed At The Complex, Los Angeles, CA
Recorded At Quad Studios, Nashville, TN
Recorded At Nightingale Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At OmniSound Studios
Recorded At Mama Jo’s, North Hollywood, CA
Recorded At Pack’s Place, LA, CA
Recorded At Sixteenth Avenue Sound, Nashville, TN
Recorded At Le Gonks West, LA, CA
Recorded At Woodland Digital, Nashville, TN
Recorded At The Complex, LA, CA
Recorded At Westlake Audio, LA, CA
Recorded At Flyte Tyme Productions Inc, Edina, MN
Recorded At Bass Hit Studios
Recorded At RPM Studios
Recorded At Power Station
Recorded At Platinum Island Studios
Recorded At Chung King Studios
Recorded At Star Gem, Nashville, TN
Recorded At Omega Recording Studios, Rockville, MD
Recorded At Conway Studios
Recorded At Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At Track Record, LA, CA
Recorded At The Enterprise, Burbank, CA
Recorded At A&M Studios, LA, CA
Mixed At Pack’s Place
Phonographic Copyright Reprise Records
Copyright Reprise Records