68 DAYS LEFT UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!
Buy This Is Christmas here (Amazon GB)
Stream This Is Christmas here (Spotify)
My first exposure to Luther Vandross was via his 1991 single, Power of Love/Love Power (still my all time favourite song of his) and I was so taken with it that I couldn't wait to immerse myself in his back catalogue. Fans were then immersed into a whirlwind of new albums that took us up to the triumphant 1994 release, Songs. Luther always had an incredible creative energy, meaning there was never too (late) long to wait inbetween projects - and his very first Christmas album came just 13 months after Songs. In the UK, This Is Christmas was released on the same day as his Greatest Hits 1981-1995 collection so it was a bumper spending day for purveyors of fine, soulful pop music. His first seasonal set was filled with original compositions with a smattering of standards thrown in for good measure. It went on to sell over a million copies Stateside, has been released in a variety of different formats since and remains a barometer for how to craft a lovely festive opus...
The original ten track release begins with a glorious, sweeping ballad. With A Christmas Heart. Graceful strings dance alongside elegant piano whilst Luther sings of how to keep the magic of the season all year long. At times it is powered by quite reflection (that piano instrumental is heavenly), at other times Luther's voice sends the song to the stars in the sky. It is never less than lovely. This Is Christmas is a sumptuous gospel infused song which heralds the onset of the most wonderful time of the year. It is always amazing to me how Luther has such strength in his voice yet can make it feel like he's singing directly to you. He certainly knows how to bring the party atmosphere though with The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody); a sassy gem all about the shenanigans that happen under nature's most alluring and magical plant. Funky grooves and shoulder-shimmying rhythms gets you onto the dancefloor, with Luther giving sensuous raconteur from start to finish.
Every Year, Every Christmas (penned with Richard Marx no less!) was the album's main single - charting in the UK as well on the US R&B charts. There is something so evocative about the arrangement. You can imagine Luther singing in a small club whilst Richard plays piano - so mesmerising you can hear a pin drop. It is what the words 'timeless classic' were invented for. Now on a vinyl disc, the album's first non-Mr Vandross penned song, My Favourite Things, would end side A. I never really thought of this as a Christmas song until I heard it in the concept of this album. This laid back jazzy romp makes it the perfect accompaniment to your annual Christmas gift wrapping session. And then if you flip the vinyl over, side B starts with the standard Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Luther savours every word, navigating the balance between melancholy musing and hopeful ode with exquisite precision. Judy would be proud - and it feels like it could have come from the set of some gorgeous Hollywood movie-musical. Perhaps Darlene Love could have been his co-star as she is on I Listen To The Bells. She is already Christmas royalty (thanks to both Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and 1992's All Alone On Christmas) and her and Luther live it up with vibrant joy. Kick up your heels with them - and their glorious choir of backing singers.
Please Come Home For Christmas is not to be confused with other songs of the same or similar titles. This is a Luther original, an earnest and plaintive plea where you can feel the poignant pathos within the lyrics. Its a request that is so heartfelt that, despite the drama which may have occurred, it would be a request very hard to say no to. A Kiss For Christmas is the final of Luther's 7 co-penned original songs on the album and its a corker. A simmering, potent romantic vibe that ensconces you like a warm duvet. The mid-tempo sway is hard to resist - although you can imagine some dazzling remixes making this a club floor filler every Christmas Eve from 1995 til the end of time. And then it all comes to an end with O Come All Ye Faithful. You are transported to ornate cathedrals from every carol concert in the movies and Luther feels every moment of the awe inspiring lyrics. It is a rousing finale, performed with reverent majesty. A splendid offering from one of the finest performers we were lucky to have.
No comments:
Post a Comment