Bethlehem is the fourth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released on October 20, 1998 through Motown Records. McKnight's first Christmas album, Bethlehem consists of eleven tracks, featuring original songs and cover versions of Christmas standards and carols, several of which are duets featuring recording artists such as Boyz II Men, Dave Koz, Michael Sembello, Tim Miner, and Maria Cole as well McKnight's brother Claude, his then-wife Julie and his sons.
Critical reception
Gina Boldman from AllMusic called Bethlehem a "joyful, romantic holiday album [...] Overall, Bethlehem is a diverse collection of traditional and modern-day Christmas songs with something for everyone celebrating the season." Entertainment Weeklys Chris Willman found there was "no need to worry about McKnight’s ability to handle the standard demands of Bethlehem, an effective showcase for the balladeer's Mary-don't-you-weep-let-me approach to tremulous soul." He called the original "okay."
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of Bethlehem.
Bob Becker – viola Boyz II Men – vocals Jackie Brand – violin Denyne Buffum – viola Bruce Carbone – executive producer, producer Susan Chatman – violin Ron Clark – violin Maria Cole – vocals Larry Corbett – cello Derrick Cummings – guitar Mario DeLeon – violin Joel Derouin – violin Bruce Dukov – first violin Prescott Ellison – drums Charlie Everett – violin Stefanie Fife – cello Matt Funes – viola Berj Garabedian – violin Robert Gerry – violin Chris Hanulik – upright bass Peter Hatch – viola Daniel Higgins – alto flute , clarinet Suzie Katayama – cello Dan Kelley – French horn Peter Kent – violin Valerie King – alto flute Dave Koz – saxophone Brian Leonard – violin Robert Lewis – organ Dane Little – cello Mike Markman – violin Brian McKnight – lead vocals and producer , backing vocals , instruments Brian McKnight Jr. – vocals Claude McKnight – vocals Julie McKnight – vocals Niko McKnight – vocals The McKnight Family Choir – vocals Bill Meyers – co-producer Tim Miner – vocals Vicky Miskolosky – viola Wanya Morris – producer The McKnight Family Choir – vocals Maria Newman – viola Tollak Ollestad – harmonica Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado – mixing Bob Peterson – violin Michele Richards – violin Steve Richards – cello Gerry Rotella – alto flute , flute Eddy Schreyer – mastering Michael Sembello – vocals and keyboards Haim Shtrum – violin Dan Smith – cello Tina Soule – cello Eddie Stein – violin Rudy Stein – cello David Stenske – violin Rick Todd – French horn Herb Trawick – executive producer John Wittenberg – violin Phil Yao – French horn
Charts Chart (1998) Peakposition
References