Thursday, 5 November 2020

Tori Kelly - A Tori Kelly Christmas


50 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream A Tori Kelly Christmas here (external link)

Tori Kelly needs no introduction - she has carved out her own career by delivering dazzling heartfelt songs that have won awards and become the soundtrack to pivotal moments in lucky listeners lives. She's releasing her very first Christmas album, A Tori Kelly Christmas, and has teamed up with bonafide hitmaker and legend Babyface to make it happen. Alongside her manager, Scooter Braun, the trio have curated a shimmering track list, full of old favourites, some traditional carols and a few new songs. Swathed in gorgeous arrangements and delivered with Tori's undeniably expressive vocal, this is likely to be a favourite for many years to come.
  • Silent Night ~ the album opener is suitably reverent and graceful; hammond organ and a shuffling percussion take this one to church but it is Ms Kelly's studied and yet free-flowing delivery that makes this such a delight. Immerses you in a portable carol concert to usher in the season...
  • 25th ~ the album's first original song is a proper bobby dazzler of a tune; a sumptuous score gives r&b radio relevance but still feels timeless and classic thanks to the exquisite production. The song is all about longing to be with that special someone on the big day, sung with a dreamy sense of magical hope. Chorus will stay in your head for days
  • Christmas Time Is Here ~ the simmering sense of Tori appreciating every word she is singing is accentuated by the ornate strings and muted horns. Every moment is savoured so that both the magic of the evergreen words and the insightful, aching delivery are left to linger long after the song has faded away.
  • Joyful Joyful-Joy To The World ~ a gorgeous piano-vocal introduction lets Tori demonstrate how powerful her voice can be. It then eases into a percussive gospel number that blends the two songs with a sense of celestial awe. The textured nature of the instrumental and layered harmonies wraps around you like a hug from your most cherished love one.
  • Sleigh Ride ~ this laid back interpretation doesn't as much canter as it does trot, ensuring the listener appreciates every jingle and focuses on the child like wonder of Tori singing "giddy up". Why rush the majesty of the most wonderful time of the year when you can take your time and breathe in every single second? Beautifully done.
  • O Holy Night ~ my most favourite carol so you better believe I pay attention to how a new version is delivered. Here, the piano contributes to the solemnity of the lyrics whilst Tori knows how to bend every single note to her will, injecting it with the vocal power it needs. The gradual yet glorious crescendo to the final "night divine" is simply stunning and delivered with heavenly precision.
  • Gift That Keeps On Giving ~ the redemptive and soul-soothing power of love is the theme of the second original composition on the album. Finding true love (poetically described through memorable lyrics and bon-mots) is all any of us really need, making this the type of song you could sneakily play all through the year. Brassy horns, jingling percussion and rapid fire lyrics are as addictive as egg-nog. 
  • Let It Snow (ft Babyface) ~ I love a Babyface duet (I grew up on them - Pebbles, Karyn White, Lisa Stansfield, Toni Braxton, etc) so am enchanted by this jazzy romp. Both their voices suit a big band setting, adding an aura of graceful sophistication. It conjures up images of some fabulous, exclusive club where patrons are surrounded by glittering decorations and treated to intimate, top notch entertainment. Now, that's magic.
  • O Come, O Come Emmanuel-O Come All Ye Faithful ~ another seasonal medley yields musical magnificence. The first song has a dignified and reflective vocal, whilst the popular carol of O Come All Ye Faithful lays the vocals to make it feel like a choir of angels are singing the song. Tori's voice here is as crystalline clear as the midnight clear and just as mesmerising.
  • Go Tell It On The Mountain ~ I love it when an artist surprises you with a take you weren't expecting. I was anticipating a huge gospel infused, hand clap affair but equally as fabulous is this radiant, soulful ballad. By honing in on the excitement of the lyrics, Tori is able to share the message through the cadence and timbre of her singing. 
  • This Christmas ~ sparkling like a lavish bauble is Tori's take on the Donny Hathaway classic. It is fairly faithful take that has lush seventies style instrumental which cascades like tinsel round the tree. There is such happiness baked into the lyrics that it can't help but bring a huge smile to your face. Guaranteed to make you glad from head to (mistle)toe. Shake a hand, shake a hand! 
  • Kid Again On Christmas ~ if you were lucky enough to pop down to Target, you got a little something extra! This third original composition (written with Wrabel, who is no stranger himself to a Christmas hit - see here). This reflective ballad lets you immerse yourself in the charm of the season by recalling how it was when you were a child. Someone get AC radio playing this non-stop stat! Just breathtaking.
  • All I Want For Christmas ~ what better way to finish the album than with a brand new take on the most indelible of contemporary Christmas songs? This Mariah standard has been stripped back to the architectural blueprints and rebuilt as a delicate, aching guitar-vocal ballad. There's some playful bells, enchanting chimes and, of course, Tori's stellar vocal making this feel brand new all over again.
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