Kenny Hatcher

Kenny Hatcher and Christmas Classics
Church House Music

There is something you need to know about Kenny Hatcher, pastor of Northside Baptist Church, Selma — he can preach and he can sing. His self-titled album is proof positive. He’s got you hooked on that first song, which is the best version of “I Love You, Lord” I’ve ever heard. A cappella. Incredible harmonies. Hooked.

The remaining nine tracks, including a great rendition of “Wayfaring Stranger” and the Lee Greenwood classic “God Bless the USA,” are mixed in style and tempo but the quality is constant. If you like gospel or, even more generally, church music, then you’ll like Hatcher.

And for his Christmas album, he couldn’t have picked a simpler title. Or a more descriptive one. “Christmas Classics” is just that. Ten of them. They’re all fantastic.

I’m not sure if it’s Hatcher’s pastoral role that gives the album that Christmas-Eve-in-the-pews vibe, but whatever it is, it works. It sounds as if you’re at church. It sounds as if you should be wearing a sweater and bowing your head.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” — they’re all there. Highly recommended.