Christmas at Home with Juanita Bynum

Juanita Bynum

Flow Records (2006)

Christmas at Home with Juanita Bynum contains six classic Yule songs, two modern selections and a new composition, “It’s Christmas Time,” co-written by Bynum and album producer Robert W. “JoJo” Hill. The latter features vocalist Myron Williams, Stellar Award-nominated producer and CEO of Flow Records, and one of two guest artists who adorn the project (the other is Micah Stampley’s young son, Micah II, who sings on “I Stand In Awe of You”).

The traditional songs are the most noteworthy. The musicians maintain a small jazz combo feel, easy-going and comfortable, especially on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” which benefits from a lovely piano solo by either Lovell Bradford or Natalie Ragins (the liner notes aren’t specific as to who did the honors). Strings wrap festively like garland around many of the tracks.

Bynum sticks to the main melody of the carols, but not without interjecting touches of her trademark evangelistic improvisation whenever the spirit led. She even trails off into tongues during the conclusion of “O Holy Night,” which might be the first time this hymn has been garnished with glossolalia, at least on record.

“Oh Come All Ye Faithful” is the high point of the album. It climaxes with the font of passionate emotion that listeners have come to anticipate from Prophetess Bynum, and what they love about her singing.

Christmas at Home with Juanita Bynum will please longtime Bynum fans as well as those who like their Christmas music simple and to the point.

Picks: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.”