New Music Review: Marvin Sapp's Christmas Card
Nationally renowned gospel singer and Grand Rapids pastor Marvin Sapp has sent out a musical Christmas card this holiday season.“Christmas Card” is the title of his first ever seasonal CD collection and contains versions of some traditional carols as well as contemporary songs.
Sapp, pastor and co-founder of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, brought in several old friends for this project – his fellow singers from his former gospel group Commissioned. Sapp was part of Commissioned in the 1990s before launching ministry as a solo artist.
Fred Hammond, Mitchell Jones and Karl Reid are among those who join Sapp for the songs “What Child Is This?” and the original “Honor The King.”
“It’s the first new music recorded by Commissioned since our reunion album,” said Sapp in a recent interview.
Sapp also offers a rendering of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” from the traditional carol catalog.
A thought-provoking contribution is the ballad “Joseph’s Song” in which Joseph of the biblical Christmas story wonders aloud with his betrothed Mary the meaning of their circumstances as the birth of Jesus approaches.
Meanwhile, the pastor-singer has some fun in welcoming his three children (Marvin, MaKaila and Madisson) to come alongside on the rhythmic melody “Thank You.”
The artist also stepped into the “producer” shoes for the first time and co-wrote nearly every song or arrangement on the disc, many with collaborator Chip Dixson.
Although the musical style is not strictly classic gospel, Sapp nevertheless shares the joy and spirit of Christmas in this varied musical effort.
The Facts:
Artist: Marvin Sapp
Title: “Christmas Card”
Connect: www.marvinsapp.com
Title: “Christmas Card”
Connect: www.marvinsapp.com
