Reviewed by Jeremy Sugar (music contributor hereboston) No one knew what to expect when it was announced that Whitney Houston was in the studio recording a Christmas album. Fans held their breath while critics sharpened their claws. One thing is certain, when it comes to Whitney, its either a brilliant success or a monstrous disaster. Those of us who knew about the upcoming album were eager to see which it would be. There is a formula to Christmas albums, whether deliberate or not one good up-tempo song, one good ballad, a few boring classics, and a few new spins on old classics that just dont work. Even Mariah and Celine stuck to the tried-and-true formula. Its not surprising that Whitney didnt stick to the formula. She and producer Mervyn Warren threw a little of everything into the mix: pop, R&B, gospel and even a little jazz. Does it work? You better believe it does. Each track is unique and very well-done. Whitney sings her heart out and the music and production are top notch. They really made One Wish The Holiday Album a must-have for those of us who like Christmas music. Whitneys rendition of The Christmas Song is perfect. Its hard to pinpoint what Whitney does different than the thousands of other artists who have previously recorded this song, but Ms. Houston clearly bests them. The Little Drummer Boy features her daughter Bobbi Kristina. Junior sings a sweet little intro, but Whitney takes it from there and really adds something special to a usually predictable song. The title track is a sweet ballad with a 23 piece orchestra. A real gem on this album is Deck The Halls/Silent Night. You could never have imagined this interpretation. O Holy Night is the traditional Christmas ballad and Whitney makes good on this one, from the slow haunting beginning to the bombastic ending. But the song that really proves that Whitney hasnt lost a thing is O Come O Come Emmanuel. Singing crystal clear at the top of her lungs over an all male choir and subtle finger snapping, Whitney really takes this one home. Also on the album is The First Noel, Ill Be Home For Christmas, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, along with two previously recorded Christmas tunes Who Would Imagine A King and Joy To The World. All equally enjoyable. For those fans who wished for a Whitney Christmas album to show the other divas how its done - wish granted! Ill Be Home For Christmas https://youtube/watch?v=bwyZzN_-CDw
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:00:00 +0000
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