Search - Michael McDonald :: This Christmas

A sweet holiday album that becomes a mixed bag...

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 10/19/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Michael McDonald's latest holiday CD has nothing but great music; but it becomes a mixed bag because so much of this has been released before. This CD has quite a few of its twelve tracks from Michael's past holiday releases "In the Spirit" and "Through the Many Winters." If you have these two CDs and you don't want the extra numbers on this album, then this is not for you. This album is really best geared at diehard Michael McDonald fans who want everything by him and/or people who are rather casual fans and who don't have the previous two CD releases.



Michael is in good form here; his voice sounds great and his sophisticated phrasing impresses me. We get fine musical numbers including "That's What Christmas Means to Me" with its percussion, guitar and so much more as Michael sings this Stevie Wonder song faultlessly. Another tune, "This Christmas," is easy on the ear; and I especially like the medley of "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland." "White Christmas" in particular is both moving and poignant; and its melancholy ache for somehow simpler times gone by when you were young and your parents would protect you from anything is very appealing.



"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" gets a very laid-back treatment as well as a rarely heard opening verse; and it all holds its own very well. "On This Night" has a fine piano arrangement that accompanies Michael McDonald beautifully; and "Children Go Where I Send Thee" has a somewhat gospel flavor to it mixed with another element that almost sounds like jazz--anyway you describe it, however, I really like it!



"Every Time Christmas Comes Around" gets the royal treatment from Michael; he was born to sing songs like this. Listen for quite a creative arrangement on "Come, O Come Emanuel/What Month Was Jesus Born;" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has a wonderful jazzy sound that enhances the ballad while allowing Michael to put his own stamp on this song. The album closes with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas;" this is a number first sung by Judy Garland in the MGM movie "Meet Me in Saint Louis;" Michael does this so well I'm sure Judy would approve!



The MP3 download version of this album includes live tracks of an electric "Christmas on the Bayou" and "Peace." Another reviewer notes that there is a QVC edition of this release with five more tracks than the CD format of this album; and they're right. While you don't get the live tracks of "Christmas on the Bayou" and "Peace;" the five extra tracks on the QVC version come on a separate bonus CD and the two CD set currently costs roughly nine dollars more. The QVC extras are "Angels We Have Heard on High;" "Deck the Halls/Jingle Bells;" "Auld Lang Syne/O Tannenbaum;" "To Make a Miracle" and "World Out of a Dream."



Michael McDonald diehard fans would do well to get one version or another of this release so they have all of these holiday songs by Michael. If you're a much more casual fan and you have only one (or neither) of "In the Spirit" and "Through the Many Years," you just may want to pick this up; Michael's songs on this album are just what you'll want when it's time to roast chestnuts in your own fireplace!"

McDonald brightens up the holidays, with a few new twists...

Michael J. Sippie | Costa Mesa, CA | 10/01/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As many of you will notice 8 out of the 12 tracks have been available before. For those that did not buy (In the Spirit 2001 or Through The Many Winters 2005, this will be a complete brand new collection of Christmas classics with Michael McDonald Soul.



1st off the 4 newer tracks:That's What Christmas Means to Me, the old Stevie Wonder track. I really enjoy the basic groove,gutair and drums/percussion. It shows Mike is branching out alot more these days. This Christmas-A Nashvillie kind've blues groove. Something about Michael's voice the takes you in deep. I'll be home for Christmas, a duet with his 17 yar old daughter Scarlett. She sounds alot like her mom Amy. Mike even branching out deeper w/ the dixie jazz blend. And finally the last of the new tracks. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. If you remember Mike did this song in 2002 on the (Prancer returns) soundtrack. I thought one of Mike's best vocals to date. It even included special gutair work by Larry Carlton. In this newer verson Mike plays the ukalili (Hope I Spelled Correctly)"w/ nice strings in the background with a smooth vocal.



As far as the rest of the CD. It has Michael McDonald sining,enough Said..Some Gospel,Blues,With a powerful message. Note:If you go to the MP3 section you can download 2 bonus Live tracks, Peace and Christmas On The Bayou, and origonal track from 2005 Winters CD. If you order the QVC editon you get a 5 Track Bonus CD (Rumored to be Live" Tracks from the X-mas Tour from 08 (Not sure if all tracks are live or any) just a runmor I heard)..Either way you will get 5 addtional songs to expand your M.McD christmas collection. I hope this CD, either way you buy the CD or download from here or I tunes fills your house and soul full of joy. Looking foward to a new studio CD from Michael McDonald down the road...Mike Sippie



PS, this may seem like a pretty genaric review, I think the listener can judge for themselves better. only 4 stars because I wanted more new tracks."

TALK ABOUT RINGING IN THE HOLIDAYS!

H. WILLARD | 12/07/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"We own MANY Christmas albums/CDs and I thought I had all I could handle or want. I saw this on display while holiday shopping this week (having always been a big M.M. fan) could not resist and made my first impulse buy in a month. I'm glad I did. If you enjoy classic jazz and blues - or feel like putting a little twist in your Christmas collection - this has a delightful mix of both. I think I played track #7 five times in a row before my children said, "Mom!". Michael McDonald's voice brings out different emotions on each song...cozy, jubilant, etc. The other singers combine nicely with his without sounding as "polished' or "glosssed over" as so many of the new albums tend to be. The musicians and interpretations of the music are awesome! My 16 year old jazz musician said, "Wow!""