Name: A Legendary Christmas by John Legend
Brand: John Legend
SKU: 886448844662
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4 (133 reviews)

ALBUM

John Legend did not need any prodding to record a holiday album and is in the spirit throughout A Legendary Christmas. Produced by Raphael Saadiq, with whom Legend collaborated on Once Again highlight "Show Me," the LP is joyously nostalgic, decked with strings, horns, and a trio of background vocalists including secret weapon Sy Smith. The majority of the material dates from the '40s through the '70s, while the six originals are similarly styled. Most of the new songs hold their own. The dashing "Wrap Me Up in Your Love" could pass for a vocalese version of a song intended for a Sky High Productions holiday album shelved since 1974, as it resembles something Fonce and Larry Mizell might've whipped up for Bobbi Humphrey or Donald Byrd. Another standout, "Bring Me Love," fits in with the thoughtful mix of Motown numbers: "What Christmas Means to Me" (popularized by Stevie Wonder, heard here on harmonica), "Give Love on Christmas Day" (recorded by Jackson 5, coincidentally co-written by Fonce Mizell), and "Purple Snowflakes" (originally cut by Marvin Gaye but not released until 1992, 27 years after the original composition was reworked/repurposed as the single "Pretty Little Baby"). Legend brought the ham to the recordings of the best-known selections. These include the Esperanza Spalding duet "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and especially "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)." They're straightforward renditions, whereas Saadiq and Jamelle Adisa's upbeat, uptown soul-style arrangement of "Silver Bells" brims with energy, and Legend beams through it like he can't wait to make Another Legendary Christmas. The booklet, filled with Legend family photos, make a strong case for physical over digital.

1. What Christmas Means to Me (feat. Stevie Wonder)

by John Legend, Stevie Wonder

Background Vocals: Sy Smith
Briana Lee
Lavance Colley; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Jacob Scesney; Performer
Lyricist: George Gordy
Anna Gordy Gaye
Allen Story; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Featured Artist: Stevie Wonder; Main Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman; Performer
Composer: George Gordy
Anna Gordy Gaye
Allen Story; Composer
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Harmonica: Stevie Wonder; Performer
Percussion: Roland Gajate Garcia; Performer
Performer: John Legend
Stevie Wonder
John Legend Feat. Stevie Wonder On Harmonica; Performer
Arranger: John Legend
Raphael Saadiq
Jamelle Adisa; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Gerry "the Gov." Brown
Theo Wayland; Production
Piano: Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Scott Mayo; Performer
Trombone: Lemar Guillary; Performer
Trumpet: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production

A Legendary Christmas

Product information

Release options

1. What Christmas Means to Me (feat. Stevie Wonder)

2. Bring Me Love

3. This Christmas

4. My Favorite Things

5. Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. Kelly Clarkson)

6. Christmas In New Orleans

7. Silver Bells

8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Esperanza Spalding)

9. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

10. No Place Like Home

11. Merry Christmas Baby / Give Love on Christmas Day

12. Christmas Time Is Here

13. By Christmas Eve

14. Purple Snowflakes

15. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)

16. Please Come Home For Christmas

17. Wrap Me Up in Your Love

18. Waiting for Christmas

19. Merry Merry Christmas

Technical Specifications