Christmas Spirituals

by Odetta

Christmas Spirituals cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1960
  • Label: Vanguard
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 31:09
  • Community rating: 3.26/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Eschewing the commercial glitz typical of seasonal releases, the monumental folk vocalist delivers a stark, profoundly moving collection of traditional African American hymns. Her massive, classically trained contralto voice is accompanied only by her own sparse acoustic guitar, lending the material an immense, solemn gravity. The album stands as a profoundly spiritual, alternative Christmas classic.

Genres

Descriptors: Holiday, christmas

Tracklist

  1. Virgin Mary Had One Son (2:40)
  2. Somebody's Talking About Jesus (2:45)
  3. Ain't That A-Rocking? (2:00)
  4. Mary Had a Baby (1:44)
  5. Go Tell It on the Mountain (2:03)
  6. Beautiful Star (2:37)
  7. Poor Little Jesus (2:20)
  8. Shout for Joy (1:38)
  9. Rise up Shepherd and Follow (1:45)
  10. If Anybody Asks You (2:33)
  11. What Month Was Jesus Born In? (2:00)
  12. Children, Go Where I Send Thee (6:58)

Credits

  • Odetta - primary artist, guitar
  • Bill Lee - bass [string]

More from Odetta: full discography