This ChristmasReviews: This Christmas
Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0643027817123 Format: Import Label: MSI:WARNER BROS. Manufacturer: MSI:WARNER BROS. Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: MSI:WARNER BROS. Release Date: December 09, 2008 Studio: MSI:WARNER BROS. Rating:  - Much to like in spite of the effects of timeThe reviewer by the name of Katchy hit the nail RIGHT on the head. It is only natural for us to expect singers (especially those that are famous) to sound the same over the years, even if logic and common sense tell us that people don't age the same way for the same reasons. Aretha is my favorite vocal artist, male or female, living or not, any genre. I love many of her albums. This is not one that I love even after many spins. But there is much that I like about it. First off, let's talk about The Voice. Aretha's subtle nuances are still one of a kind and cannot be duplicated by anyone. As with much of Aretha's art, these nuances may not be obvious on the first listen but are very clear on the "dry-down." Even on the controversial opener with the questionable and sometimes scary interpretation of the chorus, 'Angels We Have Heard On High', we can hear these not-so-obvious moments. Aretha is at her best now when she can take her time. "And the mountains ... in reply" is a beautifully phrased line, with the caramel of her voice coming through. The last line before the final chorus is also beautiful in its vocal and phrasing - "while our hearts, with love we praise." In that one line she takes it from sounding like a young innocent schoolgirl to a seasoned woman that can teach the young 'uns. The subtle melisma on the word "praise" is like the vocal equivalent to watching cake batter fold on itself as it's poured in the bowl. That gorgeous billowy quality, first noticed on Aretha 1980, is not something I have ever heard in anyone else's voice. Time and possibly personal lifestyle choices may have cut down the number of times we hear that from Aretha, but that quality - among with many other good ones - are still there, in spite of some admittedly missed vocal opportunities with this set. Production values and the background vocals and arrangements on this CD are classy, polished and tasteful. It's light on the elusive "soul" factor, but this is a work that is very contemporary yet will stand the test of time. Producer Tena Clark should be proud. My recommendation is to take This Christmas Aretha in its proper context: a living legend who has been pushing her voice to the extreme for decades is still with us and sharing what she has left. Take these performances for what they are. Don't give in to the easy temptation to unfairly compare 2008 with 1968 and expect Aretha to holler and carry on like some of the younger ladies do. You just may realize that this set - on its OWN merits - is far from perfect, but still asserts in more than a few ways that the Queen Of Soul is entitled to her crown. Long Live Queen Ree. Rating:  - I've learned to accept our aging diva's and I love it!If you are looking for Aretha of 1967 you won't find it here. Just as you did not find a young Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan at age 66. We have to let our artist age and learn to accept them for what and who they have become as artist. That said, I love this project. She poured her heart out on this and it really shines through. How could you not listen to "One night with the king" and not feel something? "Ave Maria" is one of the best renditions I've ever heard. "Grown up Christmas" list is my favorite on this cd. I say go and get this and listen to Aretha of today, not yesterday and you will find substanse here. Rating:  - EXTREMELY DisappointingI bought this CD to give as a Christmas present to an Aretha fan. The jewel case arrived damaged so I opened it, thinking I'd move it to another jewel case. Since it was open, I decided to listen to it. Of the over 50 Christmas CDs that I have in my collection, this is the #1 WORST CD I've ever heard. In particular, the tracks that Aretha produced are horrendous. You can barely understand the words she is singing as she wails through a song. Aretha delivered the lyrics in a lazy and self-indulgent way. In the credits on the CD cover, Aretha chides former record producers (including Clive Davis) for not letting her make this very album. After listening to it, I can understand why. After listening to all tracks three times,the first time in disbelief, I gave it away to a stranger on the street. I could not in good conscience give it as a Christmas gift unless I believed the recipient deserved a lump of coal. Rating: - So SadAwful. In a word this CD is awful. Where once there was power and soul there is now only pain and striving to reach notes that once came easily (not always getting them, nor sustaininig them). Diction is terrible, which might be workable if you could understand the words she's singing. Backups are fine and orchestration works. But if you're an Aretha fan, please don't buy this CD. I felt like I'd lost an old friend. Rating: - Soulful Christmas - Mellifluous Liquid Notes!I was hopeful this album would complement my large collection of more traditional Christmas albums. Every year I look forward to the time between Thanksgiving and the week after New Years, when I indulge in the songs of the season. I've been a huge fan of all kinds of Christmas songs -- from Handel's Messiah to Burl Ives, Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. This album does not disappoint. From beginning to end, Aretha puts her own soulful touch on such standards as Ave Maria and Silent Night with such mellifluous notes you'd swear you could drink them up. Especially for those of us who dive deep into the songs of the season, this is a welcome new addition. Thanks, Aretha! This Christmas ReviewsMore reviews:page 1 of 2
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