Robert Way & John V. Rydgren - What Child Is This?
In honour of Easter Sunday, I thought I would post this Christmas track(?) for your listening pleasure. Why? Two reasons:
1) I'm in a holy mood after having spent 2.5 hours at an Easter Vigil mass Saturday night (I'm predominantly a Buddhist now but still part Catholic as Buddhism allows for that flexibility in faith) at the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral-Basilica in downtown Ottawa. And despite there being 7 readings (with a prayer and responsorial psalm to go with each), it's not as excruciating as it sounds (you get to play with burning candles in a spacious dark place). Also, the Archbishop led the proceedings and I borrowed the flame directly from his candle to light mine and the candles in my entire row (it was a spiritual responsibility that I took seriously).
2) More in tradition with what I usually post on this site concerns this track and its place in hip hop history ("Whaaaaaaaa?" - Moe). No joke, see if you can name the hip hop joint that actually sampled this holy composition made for religious radio in 1966 (yes, this is digging on an incredible level). The mystery was solved about 3 years ago, debated and rejected in hip hop forums, with the discussions coming back full circle to "What Child Is This?" being the sample source for a joint written and produced by 2 of the greatest to ever do it (although I don't know what the discrepancy was as it's clear as day that this is the correct source).
First and only clue (if need be): the sampled section in question occurs in the first 10 seconds.
After you're finished guessing, go here for the answer and here to listen to the producer talking about coming across the obscure source (i.e. the famed pink record with a black fish that you see up top) which amazingly birthed one of the most memorable hip hop collabos you'll ever hear (even for this legendary MC/DJ combo). Happy hip-hoppity Easter!