In addition to time with family, gifts and after-Christmas sales, another thing we can look forward to every holiday season is new Christmas music.
For generations some of our favorite artists have taken their shot at traditional Christmas classics, or have taken the brave step of crafting their own new holiday cuts.
This Christmas listeners have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of holiday CDs that offer something for everyone, and the four projects listed below are among the best examples of the great choices that are available.
You must be warned, however, to buy at least two copies of each CD — one to give as a gift and another to keep for yourself. Otherwise, after you give the disc to someone and they play it, you might find yourself in the awkward position of asking them to borrow it (permanently) and they’ll never see it again. All of these CDs are that good!
These projects from various artists will surely spread the cheer and bring loved ones closer — just be sure to share your CD or get enough for everyone in order to ensure a Merry Christmas:
“Love’s Holiday: A Gospel Christmas”
This has been one of the most anticipated holiday releases of the year. It is just the latest in a series of collectible compilations of Black music produced by Time-Life. The 14-track disc showcases a satisfying variety of new and classic Christmas songs by an impressive roster of gospel and R&B performers.
The project starts off with the uplifting title track by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers, followed by Patti LaBelle’s “Reason for the Season,” a stirring reminder of why Christmas is (or should be) so important to us.
“Little Drummer Girl,” Alicia Keys’ rendition of “Little Drummer Boy,” presents her greatest strengths as an arranger. Bryan Wilson’s conga-driven “The Savior Has Come” is extremely catchy, and the high-energy vocal duo of Mary Mary will get you dancing out of your seat with the festive “Tis the Season.”
Other star performers include Whitney Houston (her 1996 version of “Joy to the World”), Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Christina Aguilera and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
Vickie Winans
“Happy Holidays from Vickie Winans”
Last year gospel super star Vickie Winans released “Woman to Woman: Songs of Life,” which was very popular in both the gospel and R&B arenas and became perhaps the most successful album of her career.
Anyone who enjoyed the polished production, music variety, and sincere, heartfelt lyrics of Winans’ last release will immediately fall in love with “Happy Holidays.” A lively cut called “The Holiday” kicks off the 15-track disc and is followed by the brilliantly arranged R&B style song “Special Day.”
In addition to some new material, Winans and her son, up and coming producer Mario “Coconut” Winans, add fresh R&B, pop and traditional gospel flavors to standards like “Silent Night” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
As fun as it is “Happy Holidays” serves as an engaging and hip reminder of what should be remembered as the most important elements of Christmas; celebration of Christ’s birth and time with cherished loved ones.
Mannheim Steamroller
“Christmas Song”
Don’t tell anyone, but until recently I was one of a few people who had no idea who Mannheim Steamroller is. Some people live each day without knowing the group, despite the fact that it is the biggest selling Christmas artist of all time, with 25 million multi multi-platinum Christmas albums sold since the 1970s.
This year Mannheim Steamroller released “Christmas Song,” its first album of new material in six years. Many of the 12 songs stay true to the band’s interesting blend of classical orchestration, ‘80s style synthesized percussion and mechanical new age arrangements. Others are in a more laid back, traditional vein of standards like “White Christmas” and “Silver Bells.”
Three of the selections, the band’s version of “The Christmas Song” (which features Johnny Mathis), “Above the Northern Lights” and “Christmas Lullaby (featuring Olivia Newton John) are absolutely gorgeous and bring back the enchantment that many of us had with the Christmas season as children.
The Isley Brothers
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
Yes, you’re reading this correctly: A Christmas album has been released by The Isley Brothers, the legendary group known for its silky love songs and tough funk jams.
The current incarnation of the group showcases vocalist Ronald Isley and guitarist Ernie Isley, who worked with powerhouse producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to create a project that should be well received by both longtime and young fans.
The disc features mostly enjoyable covers of classics like “Winter Wonderland” and “Silent Night,” and Ronald Isley’s voice is still in fine form, but nothing new is brought to the arrangements. The album is mainly worth purchasing for “I’m in Love” and “What Can I Buy You,” two outstanding new cuts that bring back the classic flavor of the smooth Isley sound.
