Rather than a do a rehash of many of the obvious traditional tunes that fill special holiday albums by contemporary performers, maestro Luther Vandross opted for the task of creating no fewer than 7 of the 10 tracks included on his 1995 Christmas release. The result is an album that demonstrates why Vandross is still considered the preeminent black male vocalist of close to two decades: as on typical Vandross recordings, the production is crisp and strong and the vocals are flawless. As usual, he employs the cream of musicians and background vocalists (including the inimitable Cissy Houston and Darlene Love, who is featured on the Motown-like duet "I Listen to the Bells")--the perfect backdrop for Vandross's distinctive sound, exemplified on the standout title track. "The Mistle Toe Jam" has the party-like feel of Vandross sides like "Bad Boy" and the more recent "Nights in Harlem," while "Every Year, Every Christmas" (cowritten with Richard Marx) is a soulful slow jam. A surprising reading of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic "My Favorite Things" shows that if Vandross ever chose to, he could easily do a fine album of jazz standards, while "O Come All Ye Faithful" (featuring an all-star choir that includes Valerie Simpson) is given the album's most traditional reading. Standouts include the gorgeous "Please Come Home for Christmas" and the almost funky "A Kiss for Christmas." Easily one of the best Christmas albums around. --David Nathan

Average Customer Review: ( 47 customer reviews )
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And, man, am I glad that I did.

The singer has put together a smoothly produced, elegantly delivered "treat" for all as they celebrate the most joyous of holidays. Vandross does his patented "Lutherisms" on each song; making even the few songs presented uniquely his. The perennial favorite "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is given a spin that only he, and he only alone, can give.

The measure of an album for me can be found in the first songs and, on that note, the singer scores a winner. "With a Christmas Heart", "This is Christmas" (magnificent), and "The Mistletoe Jam" (reminiscent of "Till My Baby Comes Home") are as good as he gets.

I rank this one as a latter-day equivalent to the Christmas album made by the late, great Nat "King" Cole. That's how outstanding it is.

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:

Is this the best ever Christmas Album?Dec 19, 2000
By Brad Hall
I believe it is.

I have had this album for 4 years now & it's still my first choice among other Christmas albums that we have.

Luther's vocals are truly remarkable. The crispness & clarity of the recording has to be heard to be appreciated. Fortunately my 93 Ford Fairmont (Australian) has an exeptional sound system & many a pedestrian has cast an inquisitive gaze my way when I have had "Every Year Every Christmas" cranked up.

The fact that Luther has used many new songs of his own, rather than just re release an album of traditionals is a refreshing change for anyone looking for a standout Christmas Album.

Using other big name artists such as Clarence Clemons, Marcus Miller & Darlene Love is also a big plus.

Buy this Album & to get the best out of it listen to it on a really good system you will be truly inspired at this inspiring time of the year.

Hey Luther, How about a tour down under!

13 of 14 found the following review helpful:

I LOVED IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AT X-MAS,AND I STILL LISTEN.Aug 11, 1999

I BOUGHT THIS RECORDING AT CHRISTMAS SIMPLY BECAUSE I OWN EVERY CD MADE BY LUTHER,AND NEEDED IT TO COMPLETE MY COLLECTION.THAT WAS TWO YEARS AGO AND IT IS STILL IN MY CD PLAYER.I LOVE IT!!IT'S WONDERFUL,AT CHRISTMAS AND ANY TIME YOU NEED TO BE CHEERED UP.LUTHER IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE MY #1 FAVORITE.HE HASN'T DISAPPOINTED ME YET,AND THIS RECORDING WILL NOT DISAPPOINT EITHER.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

THIS CD IS GREAT I'VE HAD IT 2 YEARS AND IT'S STILL MY #1Dec 17, 1998

MY FAVORITE SONG IS EVERY YEAR. HOWEVER THE REMAKES THAT LUTHER ADDED ARE WONDERFUL.I DO WISH HE WOULD HAVE DONE THE CHRISTMAS SONG THAT WOULD BOOST THIS CD TO A 10 PLUS ON MY CHARTS. WHENEVER I PULL OUT THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC USUALLY DECEMBER 1 THIS ONE GOES ON FIRST AND ALWAYS GETS THE MOST PLAY ... SO GO OUT AND GET IT LITE THE FIREPLACE AND WHETHER YOU ARE ALONE OR WITH A LOVE ONE SIT BACK AND ENJOY THIS MUSIC IT HAS A WAY OF REALLY PUTTING YOU IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD. THANKS A BUNCH LUTHER!

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

ONE OF MY "FAVORITE THINGS...."Dec 23, 2000
By L. Kelsey "lkelsey"
at Christmas is this CD by Luther Vandross. Luther does a beautiful job of capturing the feelings of the season, from the bouncy/funky "Mistle Toe Jam," to the soulful, determination of "Every Year, Every Christmas," which is my favorite song on the CD. Luther makes each song his own, whether it's a Christmas standard ("My Favorite Things") or his own original work ("This is Christmas"). The perfect party CD on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and the days to follow. A new, original classic.

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