Johnny Mann paid some serious dues, boasting 39 albums arranged and conducted for his Singers, a 3-year stint on national tv on Chevrolet's "Stand Up and Cheer," 5 nominations and two Grammies merely scratch the iceberg of this man's musical resume. "Nearer" is a collection of 10 hymns plus "The Star Spangled Banner," and it lets you know immediately that here is a deep, talented ensemble, trained and directed by a master arranger, and every song touches us, no matter how many times we may have heard it before. Listen to the sweet tenor solo on "Fairest Lord Jesus," the harmonies on "Shadows of the Evening," "The Church is One Foundation," the title tune, "Hark, Hark My Soul," "Hosanna" and "Now the Day is Over." This is how these hymns should be directed and sung, and, forgive us, Johnny was the Mann who could make it happen!

Songlist: Nearer My God To Thee, Faith Of Our Fathers, Fairest Lord Jesus, We Plow The Fields, Shadows Of The Evening, The Church's One Foundation, Hark Hark My Soul, Hosanna, Abide With Me, The Star Spangled Banner, Now The Day is Over

Johnny Mann Singers : We Wish You A Merry Christmas   

Legendary, Grammy-winning arranger/conductor Johnny Mann and his prolific Singers apply their bright, smooth, spirited Sixties sound to this excellent Christmas collection. Traditional carols like "As Lately We Watched," "Lo How a Rose," "Deck the Halls," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "O Christmas Tree," "The First Noel," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" of course are here, wonderful and sincere; but we especially liked lesser known tunes like "Johnny Bring The Pine Tree In," "Sleep, Sleep Jesus, Sleep" and the lovely "Susan Belle." The kind of Christmas album they just don't make any more, and the kind that will be enjoyed again, year after year! Some light accompaniment, but mostly a cappella.

Songlist: Johnny Bring The Pine Tree In, Sleep, Sweet Jesus, Sleep, As Lately Watched, Susan Belle, Lo How A Rose, Jingle Bells, Deck The Halls, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Go Tell It On A Mountain, O Christmas Tree, The First Noel, We Wish You A Merry Christmas