Singer Bryan Andrew Wilson Releases New Single “O Holy Night” feat. Lola Falana | LISTEN!
SPIRITUAL SOUL SINGER
BRYAN ANDREW WILSON
CUTS “O HOLY NIGHT”
WITH `70s ICON LOLA FALANA
Spiritual Soul singer Bryan Andrew Wilson’s forthcoming Christmas album will arrive in a few weeks. The ten-track collection will feature an eclectic mix of Gospel Blues, Retro Soul and New Orleans Jazz. However, he’s first dropping a soul-stirring new rendition of the evergreen yuletide tune, “O Holy Night” that features `70s entertainment icon, Lola Falana, with production by Nelson Braxton of the Braxton Brothers Jazz duo who are known for their No. 1 Smooth AC hits such as “Catalina Nights” and “When Love Comes Around.” The digital song is available on all major streaming platforms in Stereo and Dolby Atmos formats.
Bassist Nelson Braxton, who has collaborated with the likes of Sheila E. and Michael Bolton, opens the track with Latin-styled acoustic guitar. Wilson sings the first verses in a mellow tenor. Then, the former Queen of Las Vegas, Lola Falana, steps out of her 30+ year retirement to deliver a passionate spoken word segment on the birth of Jesus. The second half of the song shifts into an orchestral backdrop as Wilson’s tenor becomes a soulful rasp with a rapturous choir backing him. The song closes with a joyous gospel finish.
The song will appear on Wilson’s, Is It Christmas Yet? (The Orchard), holiday album that also features guest appearances from the Grammy® Award winning Rebirth Brass Band of New Orleans, Grammy® winning gospel artist Darrel Walls, gospel music legend Dorothy Norwood, cellist Yoed Nir, and the renowned choral group, Roderick Giles & Grace.
ABOUT
Bryan Andrew Wilson earned his first recording contract with the historic blues label Malaco Records as a ten-year-old gospel star in 1995. He scored solo hits such as “Don’t Let Me Miss Heaven,” “God is On Your Side,” as well as a smash rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” with the Mississippi Children’s Choir. As an adult, he formed his own Bryan’s Songs recording label which is distributed through Sony’s The Orchard. He calls his music Spiritual Soul because he mixes elements of retro soul music with both spiritual and everyday life messages in his songs. As a result, songs such as his current single “I Kept On” have been programmed on Americana, Blues, Gospel and R&B playlists. In addition, he’s enjoyed numerous Billboard Gospel Airplay chart hits such as “Turning Away,” “Overflow” and the Top 5 hit, “The Ride.” He’s also crossed over to the Smooth AC charts with the Top 20 hit, “Only You,” in 2019. Wilson is also pastor of the Freedom of Atlanta church in Stone Mountain, Georgia,
Lola Falana is a Tony Award nominated entertainer who began her career in the 1960s as a professional dancer with Dinah Washington. She was discovered in an Atlantic City chorus line by Sammy Davis Jr. who featured her in the Broadway production of Golden Boy. During the period, she appeared on numerous variety TV programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show, Hollywood Palace and various Bob Hope specials. She recorded for Mercury Records, RCA Records, London Records and Frank Sinatra’s Reprise label. She’s appeared in films and starred on Broadway in Dr. Jazz in 1975. During the decade, she had become a top draw on the casino concert circuit as the Queen of Las Vegas. In 1974, she became the first black spokesmodel for Fabergé’s million-dollar commercial campaign for Tigress perfume, and she later appeared in advertisements for Hanes pantyhose. In 1976, she starred in four top-rated primetime ABC television specials. However, in the 1980s, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and she retired from stage performances in the late 1990s. She’s currently writing her autobiography.
Bill Carpenter