Name: A Legendary Christmas by John Legend
Brand: John Legend
SKU: 886447331729
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4 (98 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

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
Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Featured Artist: Stevie Wonder; Main Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman; Performer
Harmonica: Stevie Wonder; Performer
Percussion: Roland Gajate Garcia; Performer
Piano: Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Scott Mayo; Performer
Trombone: Lemar Guillary; Performer
Trumpet: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Arranger: Raphael Saadiq
Jamelle Adisa; Composer
Composer: George Gordy
Anna Gordy Gaye
Allen Story; Composer
Performer: John Legend
Stevie Wonder; Performer
Vocal Arrangement: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Composer
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Gerry "the Gov." Brown
Theo Wayland; Production
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

2. Silver Bells

by John Legend

Alto Saxophone: Scott Mayo; Performer
Composer: Jay Livingston
Jerry Livingston
Raymond B. Evans; Composer
Background Vocals: Briana Lee
Lavance Colley
Sy Smith; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Jacob Scesney; Performer
Bass: Raphael Saadiq; Performer
Flute: Scott Mayo; Performer
Lyricist: Ray Evans; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman
Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Horn: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Percussion: Roland Gajate Garcia; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Conductor: Matt Jones; Conductor
Strings: The Matt Jones Orchestra; Performer
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang
Rollin Weary; Production
Tenor Saxophone: Scott Mayo; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Gerry "the Gov." Brown
Theo Wayland; Production
Trombone: Lemar Guillary; Performer
Trumpet: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Vocals: John Legend
Sy Smith
Raphael Saadiq; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

by John Legend, Esperanza Spalding

Acoustic Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Featured Artist: Esperanza Spalding; Main Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman
Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Composer: Ralph Blane; Composer
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Performer: John Legend
Esperanza Spalding; Performer
Strings: The Matt Jones Orchestra; Performer
Lyricist: Hugh Martin; Composer
Conductor: Matt Jones; Conductor
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Trombone: Jeffery Miller; Performer
Engineer: David Rodriguez
Hotae Alexander Jang
Jake Shives
Rollin Weary; Production
Executive Producer: John Legend
Raphael Saadiq; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Theo Wayland
Gerry "the Gov." Brown; Production
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

4. No Place Like Home

by John Legend

Background Vocals: Lavance Colley
Sy Smith
Briana Lee; Performer
Lyricist: John Stephens
Ruth Anne Cunningham; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Flugelhorn: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Flute: Scott Mayo; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman
Raphael Saadiq
Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Horn: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Percussion: Roland Gajate Garcia; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Scott Mayo; Performer
Trombone: Lemar Guillary; Performer
Trumpet: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Composer: Ruth Anne Cunningham
John Stephens; Composer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Vocals: Sy Smith
Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Performer
Engineer: David Rodriguez
Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Executive Producer: John Legend
Raphael Saadiq; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Theo Wayland
Gerry "the Gov." Brown; Production
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

5. Bring Me Love

by John Legend

Background Vocals: Sy Smith
Lavance Colley
Briana Lee; Performer
Composer: Walter Rollins
John Stephens
Meghan Trainor
Steve Nelson; Composer
Baritone Saxophone: Jacob Scesney; Performer
Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman
Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Horn: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Percussion: Roland Gajate Garcia; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Trombone: Lemar Guillary; Performer
Lyricist: Steve Nelson
Walter Rollins
John Stephens
Meghan Trainor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Tenor Saxophone: Scott Mayo; Performer
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Gerry "the Gov." Brown
Theo Wayland; Production
Trumpet: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Vocals: John Legend
Raphael Saadiq
Sy Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

6. Merry Christmas Baby / Give Love on Christmas Day

by John Legend

Acoustic Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Alto Saxophone: Randy Gist
Scott Mayo; Performer
Background Vocals: Sy Smith
Lenesha Randolph
Lavance Colley
Jessy Wilson
Briana Lee; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Jacob Scesney; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman
Raphael Saadiq; Performer
Horn: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Composer: Johnny Moore
Berry Gordy
Alphonso Mizell
See Sub-songs
Lou Baxter
Christine Perren
Frederick Perren
Deke Richards; Composer
Lyricist: Lou Baxter
See Sub-songs
Johnny Moore; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Keyboard: Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Organ: Eddie Brown; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Gerry "the Gov." Brown
Theo Wayland; Production
Tenor Saxophone: Rickey Woodard; Performer
Trombone: J.p. Floyd
Lemar Guillary; Performer
Trumpet: Brandyn Phillips
Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Vocals: John Legend
Raphael Saadiq; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

7. Christmas Time Is Here

by John Legend

Composer: Vince Guaraldi; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Alto Saxophone: Scott Mayo
Randy Gist; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Jacob Scesney; Performer
Horn: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Lyricist: Lee Mendelson; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Theo Wayland
Gerry "the Gov." Brown; Production
Piano: Ernest Turner; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Rickey Woodard; Performer
Trombone: J.p. Floyd
Lemar Guillary; Performer
Engineer: David Rodriguez
Jason Richmond
Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Trumpet: Jamelle Adisa
Brandyn Phillips; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

8. Waiting for Christmas

by John Legend

Performer: John Legend; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Piano: John Legend; Performer
Composer: Raphael Saadiq
John Stephens
Dan Wilson; Composer
Lyricist: Dan Wilson
John Stephens
Raphael Saadiq; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Theo Wayland
Gerry "the Gov." Brown; Production
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

9. Purple Snowflakes

by John Legend

Acoustic Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Background Vocals: Lavance Colley
Briana Lee
Sy Smith; Performer
Bass Clarinet: Scott Mayo; Performer
Clarinet: Scott Mayo; Performer
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Flute: Scott Mayo; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman
Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Horn: Scott Mayo; Performer
Composer: Dave Hamilton
Clarence Paul; Composer
Lyricist: Clarence Paul
Dave Hamilton; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Conductor: Matt Jones; Conductor
Percussion: Roland Gajate Garcia; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Engineer: David Rodriguez
Scott Mayo
Hotae Alexander Jang
Rollin Weary; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Theo Wayland
Gerry "the Gov." Brown; Production
Piccolo: Scott Mayo; Performer
Strings: The Matt Jones Orchestra; Performer
Trumpet: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Vocals: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

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

by John Legend

Acoustic Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Flugelhorn: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman; Performer
Composer: Mel Tormé
Robert Wells; Composer
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Piano: Ernest Turner; Performer
Lyricist: Mel Tormé
Robert Wells; Composer
Conductor: Matt Jones; Conductor
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Strings: The Matt Jones Orchestra; Performer
Engineer: Jason Richmond
Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Theo Wayland
Gerry "the Gov." Brown; Production
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

11. Please Come Home For Christmas

by John Legend

Acoustic Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Composer: Gene Redd
Charles Brown; Composer
Alto Saxophone: Scott Mayo
Randy Gist; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Jacob Scesney; Performer
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Guitar: Raphael Saadiq
Brandon Chapman
Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Horn: Jamelle Adisa; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Rickey Woodard; Performer
Lyricist: Gene Redd
Charles Brown; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Percussion: Roland Gajate Garcia; Performer
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Gerry "the Gov." Brown
Theo Wayland; Production
Trombone: J.p. Floyd
Lemar Guillary; Performer
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Trumpet: Jamelle Adisa
Brandyn Phillips; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

12. Wrap Me Up in Your Love

by John Legend

Composer: Wayne Hector
John Stephens
Raphael Saadiq; Composer
Background Vocals: Sy Smith
Briana Lee
Lavance Colley; Performer
Bass: Raphael Saadiq; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman; Performer
Lyricist: Wayne Hector
John Stephens
Raphael Saadiq; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Percussion: Roland Gajate Garcia; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Piano: Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Conductor: Matt Jones; Conductor
Executive Producer: John Legend
Raphael Saadiq; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Gerry "the Gov." Brown
Theo Wayland; Production
Strings: The Matt Jones Orchestra; Performer
Engineer: Rollin Weary
Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Vocals: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

13. By Christmas Eve

by John Legend

Background Vocals: Sy Smith
Lavance Colley
Briana Lee; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Piano: John Legend; Performer
Vocals: John Legend; Performer
Composer: Daniel John Evans
John Stephens
Amy Wadge; Composer
Lyricist: John Stephens
Daniel John Evans
Amy Wadge; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang; Production
Executive Producer: John Legend
Raphael Saadiq; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Theo Wayland
Gerry "the Gov." Brown; Production
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

14. Merry Merry Christmas

by John Legend

Background Vocals: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend
Briana Lee
Sy Smith
Lavance Colley; Performer
Composer: John Stephens
Raphael Saadiq
Earl King; Composer
Baritone Saxophone: Roger Lewis; Performer
Bass: Lawrence Shaw; Performer
Drums: Iajhi Hampden; Performer
Guitar: Brandon Chapman
Dylan Wiggins; Performer
Horn: Roderick Paulin; Performer
Percussion: Herlin Riley; Performer
Performer: John Legend; Performer
Trombone: Terrance Taplin
Corey Henry
Jeffery Miller
Delfeayo Marsalis; Performer
Lyricist: John Stephens
Raphael Saadiq
Earl King; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nicole Ranalli; Production
Tenor Saxophone: Roderick Paulin; Performer
Engineer: Hotae Alexander Jang
Jesse Snider; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kutch; Production
Mixing Engineer: Gerry "the Gov." Brown
Theo Wayland; Production
Trumpet: Shamarr Allen
Andrew Baham; Performer
Executive Producer: Raphael Saadiq
John Legend; Production
Vocals: John Legend
Raphael Saadiq; Performer
Primary Artist: John Legend; Main Performer
Producer: Raphael Saadiq; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

14 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

49 minutes and 46 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 3000x3000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

All tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Ambient, New Age, Comedy, Other, Holiday, R&B, Soul, Christmas, Holiday Music

Label

Columbia

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 25, 2018

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

886447331729

Shopping cart

Notification

A Legendary Christmas

1. What Christmas Means to Me

2. Silver Bells

3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

4. No Place Like Home

5. Bring Me Love

6. Merry Christmas Baby / Give Love on Christmas Day

7. Christmas Time Is Here

8. Waiting for Christmas

9. Purple Snowflakes

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

11. Please Come Home For Christmas

12. Wrap Me Up in Your Love

13. By Christmas Eve

14. Merry Merry Christmas

Technical Specifications

A Legendary Christmas

Product information

Release options

1. What Christmas Means to Me

2. Silver Bells

3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

4. No Place Like Home

5. Bring Me Love

6. Merry Christmas Baby / Give Love on Christmas Day

7. Christmas Time Is Here

8. Waiting for Christmas

9. Purple Snowflakes

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

11. Please Come Home For Christmas

12. Wrap Me Up in Your Love

13. By Christmas Eve

14. Merry Merry Christmas

Technical Specifications