Whitney Houston, “Joy to the World” | Sunday Refresh

On the 30^th edition of Sunday Refresh (2021), we’re uplifted by Whitney Houston performing, “Joy to the World.”

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elcome to Sunday Refresh , a column that seeks to highlight inspirational songs to uplift the spirit.  These tracks that appear on Sunday Refresh may or may not be faith-based or religious; the goal is for them to make you feel better – refreshed.  So, for the 30^th edition of Sunday Refresh, we highlight “Joy to the World” as performed by Whitney Houston.

“Joy to the world / The lord is come / Let Earth receive her king.” There are many awesome, spiritually savvy renditions of the Christmas carol, “Joy to the World.”  When performed as it should be, it really touches the heart and soul.  The words do so naturally, proclaiming the birth of a Savior, who’d ultimately die for our sins.  One of the best renditions of this standard comes courtesy of Whitney Houston alongside The Georgia Mass Choir.  Famously, the ‘Whitney’ version appears on The Preacher’s Wife Soundtrack, one of my personal favorite albums of the 90s.

“Joy to the World” doesn’t need to be tweaked musically, but tweak it right, and you have a surefire masterpiece!  That’s what happens in the hands of Houston and The Georgia Mass Choir.  They spice things up, giving the traditional carol more of a contemporary gospel spin, following a smooth, playful intro by Houston.  The sound is bright and energetically, masterfully celebrating J-E-S-U-S.  Houston’s vocals are at their peak.  She exhibits composure and poise, yet knows when to ‘let ‘em rip,’ taking the spirit next level.  The Georgia Mass Choir is there to provide a lift, and this ‘gospelized’ version plays directly to their strengths. Add in a vamp/breakdown section, and we get a hint of contemporary R&B ala the 90s which is sweet.  Ultimately, this spirited take is one you’ll not only want to refresh you during Christmas, but into New Years’ and beyond.

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Whitney Houston • The Preacher’s Wife (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • Arista • 1996
Whitney Houston, “Joy to the World”: Sunday Refresh No. 30 (2021) [: Arista, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Zac Durant on Unsplash]

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