Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I've always found gospel choirs performing Christmas carols a slightly odd fit and even the clever arrangements given "Joy To The World" (which mixes in a bit of the "Hallelujah Chorus") and "Ding Dong Merrily On High" didn't enthuse me with festive spirit. Much better are the haunting "Mitt Hjert Alltid Vanker", which my computer translates as "My Heart Always Wanders", which sounds a bit like a slowed down version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and rather oddly features a full-on rock guitar solo. There are some enjoyable moments on this live recording, originally released in 2009, though it's ironic that some of the best tracks are those where the Oslos sound more like a cathedral choir than the gospel one of their name. So when they run through a gospel classic like the Edwin Hawkins Singers' "Oh Happy Day" it's hardly surprising that they don't come close to the sublime original. One final reviewer's note: my computer informs me that OGC's "Na Vandrer Fra Hver En Verdens Krok" is translated "Na Walk From Each The World's Hook". Surely not.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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