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Our Review

Yes, the excellent Champion Sisters are actually sisters; in fact, two of them are identical twins! This is not at all surprising, given how well the three voices blend, whether united in flawless unison or diverging into magnificent three-part harmonies. The accompaniment is top-notch, too, with a smart orchestra of rhythm, winds (including brass), and strings providing terrific support that never overwhelms the sweet and sassy vocals. This generous (65 minutes!) album hits all the right notes; it is contemporary jazz with definite big band flavors. The album recalls the Andrews Sisters singing trio from the 1940s (Minnesota natives!), but with a fresh and fully updated sound. Genius!

Christmas with the Champion Sisters opens brilliantly with a uniquely-arranged Silver Bells. The well-loved melody opens with an ethereal, almost new age framework, and the sentiment provokes memories of childhood Christmases long ago. Before the halfway mark of this six-minute tune, the sisters burst into the clean melody, floating warmly in unison before branching into tightly-controlled vocal parts. Very, very nice. Joy to the World is the longest track (just over 7 mintes), and it is a magnificent melange of spiritual highs (including those fantastic trumpets!) and an earthy jazz quality that makes the production shimmer. It had me singing along in the closing bars--excellent!

I highly recommend Christmas with the Champion Sisters to anyone who enjoys well-executed, jazzy vocals when the holiday season rolls around. Although I routinely review releases by small male ensembles, I almost never see the female equivalent, and that makes this offering particularly exciting. Viva the Champion Sisters!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

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From the liner notes:

The Musicians:

Rhythm
piano, organ, electric piano: Paul English
guitar: Bill Murrell
bass: Chris Maresh
drums: Todd Harrison
percussion: James Metcalfe

Winds
flute, alto flute: Bob Chadwick
oboe: Tristan Smith
saxes: David Caceres (alto 1); Johnny Gonzales (alto 2); Kelly Dean (tenor 1); Tito Hernandez (tenor 2); Martin Langford (bari)
trumpets: Steve Brown (lead); Dennis Dotson; Danny Wilson
trombones: Thomas Hulten, Reggie Goebel; Phillip Freeman (bass)

Strings
violins: Jennifer Bourianoff, concertmaster; Beth Blackerby; Javier Chaparro; Jamie Desautels; Richard Kilmer; Leigh Mahoney; Paul Robertson
violas: Ames Asbell; Bruce Williams
cellos: Betsy Sanders; Shawn Sanders
string contractor: Mike Mordecai

Produced by Paul English with Andy Bradley, Master engineer
Champion Sisters, executive producers
Arranged and conducted by Paul English
Paul English, vocal director
Elena Nikulshina-Fray: vocal coach



From the Website:

The Champion Sisters entertain audiences with their eclectic style and harmonious sounds. Their captivating, close-knit harmonies make the trio a stage favorite.

With alluring finesse, the three sisters, Molly and identical twins Brenda and Sandra, showcase their talents through a wide range of music: from swing to jazz, rhythm and blues to folk, big band to Contemporary Christian and country-western.

***

The trio continues the fine singing tradition of their late father, George Champion, a talented musician who performed alongside world famous country and western artists, and also was a longstanding guest on Utah Carl's Gulf Coast Jamboree television show in Houston, Texas.

Born in Texas, the sisters began showing their love for music at the tender ages of four and five. It was during their early childhood and teen years that the trio developed their three-part harmony while singing along with their favorite artists of the time, which included the Bee Gees, Beach Boys, Eagles, and the Contemporary Christian artists The Imperials, to name a few.

Brenda, Sandra and Molly began their careers singing gospel music at church and at religious and secular functions. The sisters have also toured the United States performing alongside other Christian artists. Their first single recording, Song For Broken Hearts hit the top 10 list of Contemporary Christian radio station KSBJ and remained there for more than three months.

After a hiatus from the industry, the Champion Sisters resumed their singing career in 2000 under the direction of renowned Texas pianist, composer and producer, as well as longtime family friend, Paul English. ***

Typical singing order for the Champion Sisters is Brenda on the hard-to-hit high notes, Molly singing the hard-to-hit low notes, and Sandra on the middle harmony, which completes the sound. However, not only do the sisters look alike, they sound alike. Just when you think you know who is singing each part, they may switch on you!

The Champion Sisters

Christmas with the Champion Sisters

Artist link

Track List