Thanksgiving is the official kick off to the holiday season. Radio stations begin switching their playlists, while television starts-twenty hour a day holiday marathons.
For many of us we get the same diet of holiday songs year after year. The only holiday album that has made a dent in the playlist in years has been Mariah Carey.I have a really extensive holiday music collection and some of it can be a bit repetitive.
This year we have two albums who deserve spots in on holiday playlist. They are the new albums from Patti Labelle and Lesley Odom Jr.
Patti LaBelle and Friends – Home for the Holidays showcases the legendary entertainer alongside fellow acclaimed artists, Ruben Studdard (“Let It Snow”), Tamela Mann (“Jesus King!”) and piano virtuoso, Jamar Jones (“Brazilian Sleigh Bells”). The soulful compilation, which features holiday favorites and spiritual sonnets, will warm the hearts of listeners of all ages throughout the season. The one thing you can expect in every effort is vocals that are nearly unparalleled.
Miss Patti delivers a feeling of Christmas comfort with friends that will make your holiday listening warm and fuzzy. You are able to download it now on all digital portals.
Lesley Odom Jr’s Simply Christmas might be one of the best jazz holiday albums I have heard in a long time. Of course I am biased to anyone who can do a version of ‘Favorite Things‘ that can rival the Supremes version. Lesley brings it.
The release is just the right mix of uptempo and beautiful orchestrations. Unlike most Christmas albums Lesley’s respects musical orchestration with a warm embrace. When he sings Ave Maria you are transported to a quiet church and left with contemplation and beauty that we often forget about with the bustle of the season.
The song ‘Winter Song‘ is could not have come at a more poignant time. You will play this song over and over.
I promise that these two albums will be classics and you will fully enjoy them.
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