I think we’re at part four of this series. I don’t know how many more I’ve got in me, but I had to talk about this one.
I don’t think I’ll have any dissenters– Mariah Carey’s album, Merry Christmas, is one of the best Christmas albums to be released in the past two decades.
On that album, from 1994, she did more than create the instant classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (with background vocals from Melonie Daniels and Kelly Price noticeably blazing) and the magical “Jesus, Born On This Day.” She gave new life to old classics like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “O Holy Night.” And who could have predicted how she would demolish the ENTIRETY of the downright churchy “Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child”???
Other noteworthy tracks include “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)” and her awesome arrangements of “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.”
This album is Mariah at her best– polished, soaring and effortless. You kinda need to own it.
Listen to “Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child” here:
Oh yes. This is absolutely a classic and gets ridiculous playing time every Christmas season. I still have to stop whatever it is I'm doing when she gets to that part in Oh Holy Night where she hits that note that only dogs can hear. My goodness...
I've got to go check that cd out because I really enjoy when she sings for real. She's really commercial now, but I'm not mad because that's what sells, and I like that too. I just know that she's more skilled than what she puts out.
Bring that Mariah back! I mean - still gotta love her - but this was some serious singing. I sorta wish she'd do another Christmas one...with all the gospel flavored stuff she puts on the back end of her albums, I think another Christmas album focused in that direction would be insane. Speaking of...I saw a clip of her on the Ellen show where she stated that her and Nick Cannon waited until they were married to 'consumate' their relationship. Don't know where she stands with the Lord, but I thought it was a neat testimony...something most mainstream artist wouldn't do (much less share about).
I just have to comment on my own comment --- I said "where she stated that her and...." Please excuse my grammar....my 7th grade English teacher would be saddened.
This is hands down one of my favorite Christmas albums, second only to "Once Upon a Christmas" by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers (the original release... the one currently being sold is missing some tracks).