Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child featuringThe Soul Seekers
Every Year, Every Christmas
Away In A Manger
Patti LaBelle, the world renowned entertainer has carved her niche in the world by possessing a voice so boisterous and moving that it can only be called incomparable. With a career of her magnitude, Ms. LaBelle characteri... more »zes a rare title reserved for a select few singers of her caliber, Legend¬ary Diva. Although Patti LaBelle is no stranger to "living it up," she's always kept family, tradition and philanthropy an important dynamic in her life. This holiday season Ms. LaBelle has blended the perfect, soulful mixture of traditional Christmas songs with original soon to be classics in a new album sincerely titled, Ms. Patti's Christmas. From those looking to beat the holiday shopping traffic and enjoy the time of year to those that enjoy all of the hustle and bustle, Ms. Patti's Christmas will be the ideal album to kick off the holiday season and keep you inspired through the New Year when it arrives in stores October 9th. A new holiday tradition is born!« less
Patti LaBelle, the world renowned entertainer has carved her niche in the world by possessing a voice so boisterous and moving that it can only be called incomparable. With a career of her magnitude, Ms. LaBelle characterizes a rare title reserved for a select few singers of her caliber, Legend¬ary Diva. Although Patti LaBelle is no stranger to "living it up," she's always kept family, tradition and philanthropy an important dynamic in her life. This holiday season Ms. LaBelle has blended the perfect, soulful mixture of traditional Christmas songs with original soon to be classics in a new album sincerely titled, Ms. Patti's Christmas. From those looking to beat the holiday shopping traffic and enjoy the time of year to those that enjoy all of the hustle and bustle, Ms. Patti's Christmas will be the ideal album to kick off the holiday season and keep you inspired through the New Year when it arrives in stores October 9th. A new holiday tradition is born!
"If you follow Patti Labelle's career, you know she has gone through many different phases. I've read the other reviews of this CD and here are my thoughts...
Patti is 63 now, of course her voice is not what it was 10 0r 20 years ago. Every singer who ages has to adapt their style and the way they approach a song. With that said if you are expecting Patti's powerhouse performances from the 80's and 90's your not going to find them here. A woman's voice is not going to be what it was at age 40 or 50.
However that does not make this CD a bad one by any means. This is definitly a softer side of Patti Labelle that in my opinion compliments Patti's voice today.
Whether or not Patti hits all the notes she used to, she is a true artist in the sense that she takes a song and makes it her own. Her artistic ability is definilty showcased on this CD, it is interesting and shows yet another dimension of this incredible talent. Her voice is still beautiful and she sounds in good form on this CD.
I thought this CD was excellent and a HUGE improvement from "The Gospel According to Patti Labelle." It is well produced, well engineered and i think it has mass appeal. Patti proves you dont have to be loud to be soulful and Patti's voice on this production reminds me of Patti's time with Epic Records on cuts like "Find the Love". This isnt the first time
Patti has shown her softer side and made use of her beautiful "head voice".
This is definitly worth the buy for this christmas season. My favorites at first listen were
"Holidays Mean More To Me" "Its Going to be a Merry Christmas"
"Do you Hear What I Hear" and "Nativity". The best cut on the CD to me is
"Every Year, Every Christmas" there is no question, Patti is singing this one from the heart! My least favorite track was "What do the Lonely Do At Christmas".
Patti Labelle of 2000 may not be the Patti of the 80's and 90's, but to me this CD proves to me Patti is not going anywhere any time soon. She continues to adapt herself as her voice changes and time and time again proves herself as a true artist with many colors.
If you dont have it already, Patti's other Christmas CD "This Christmas" is also a must have.
Enjoy!"
Aboslutley Fantasic
Rosilyn Dodson | USA | 10/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a must have for all Patti and fair weather fans. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Really hit a home run with the instrumentation and Ms. Patti's voice is off the chart! Phenomenal This is the Patti i've been waiting for!"
Jam & Lewis Hits Home Run with Patti!!!
Carlton L. Saunders | Philadelphia, PA | 11/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First, anyone who thinks Patti Labelle isn't delivering her infamous notes on this CD must be DEAF!!! Patti's delivery is (yes) softer but she's also belting out the notes when/where the song calls for it without sounding like she's over doing it. I guess some folks want Patti to yell her guts out from the moment she opens her mouth! This collection of Holiday hits by Miss Labelle are the truth!!! Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are the masters in deed and I only wished they would've wrote and produced Patti's entire "When A Woman Loves" album! Production wise, I haven't been too thrilled with Patti's last few albums. But with this Holiday CD, Jam & Lewis, give you continuity from song to song. "Christmas Jam" & "Do You Hear What I Hear" are AWESOMELY radio friendly and sound very Alexander O'Neal, Cherrelle and Sounds of Blackness-ish. The whole album is a winner people! I'm very surprised that Jam & Lewis haven't done a Xmas CD on Janet yet. Everything on my body that I can cross is crossed that Patti will continue her musical affliation with Jam & Lewis for her next contemporary album especiallly after that masterpiece they produced for Chaka Khan!!! Miss Diana Ross, are you listening??????????"
The Production is good but Patti's vocals don't shine.
Brotha Dony | Columbia,SC | 10/14/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Patti LaBelle has truly become America's Iconic Diva. Ms. Boom-Boom is still receiving standing-ovations at the young age of 63. NOBODY electrifies a crowd, works a stage and a LIVE microphone like Patti. Even Amazon.com's critic stated that Patti is UP there with only a handful of Legends. After 45yrs of recording Patti has earned the right to be called "R&B Royalty" and there's no argument that she fits the bill...
Honestly I have to separate my Love for Patti and my "Prejudiced/Biased/Protective" feelings for her from My honest feelings about the CD..
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis put together a great roster of Songs for Patti to cover. The Music production is wonderful and I like how a few of the tracks have that "Live Band" sound...Patti's vocals are clear and soulful as ever but once you listen to the CD the first-go-around you will notice Jam & Lewis wanted Softer-vocals from Patti on each track..This is probably the fist CD from Patti where she uses her Falsetta-range in abundance.
Even though Patti is FAMOUS for her Strong-Scorching Vocals,endless energy and sustained high notes Jam & Lewis wanted an "Easy Listening" theme from track 1 all the way to track 10. Patti sings each track in what I call "Patti-Fashion" but in her softer range...
"Christmas Jam" & "Nativity" are uptempo tracks that should be sent to radio when December hits.
"Jesus, Oh what a wonderful Child" (Featuring Gospel Greats 'The Soul Seekers') is a stand-out track..Patti allows The Soul Seekers to sing most of the lead which is odd..
"Every Year, Every Christmas"is a decent but not a solid Tribute to the late-great Mr. Luther Vandross who was like a brother to Patti. Jam & Lewis kept the arrangement of this cover the same as Luther's version. Vocal wise I don't think Patti did her best. I must admit the vocals are weak.
"Away in a Manger"..Once again Patti's vocals are weak and somewhat "lazy"..It's as if she recorded the song while she was riding in her Limo...
Like myself, Diehard Patti LaBelle fans will like a few of the tracks and supporting Patti 100% is what Patti's-Butterflies do BEST..I know that Patti's up-coming 2007 holiday TV/Talk-show appearances will have her singing her heart out of the live versions of these songs & she will shine for Patti is the ultimate LIVE performer Hands-down......
The thing I have to do at this point is recommend to the buyer Patti's 1st Christmas CD "Christmas Collection:20th Century masters"...The CD is excellent and R&B radio plays several singles from the CD every holiday season including "What are you doing New years Eve" where Patti gives an awesome rendition of this holiday classic..... Patti gives a wonderful cover of "This Christmas" that she sings with ease..The Diva Queen is soulful & romantic with her delivery of an original christmas song "Twas Love"....
Patti LaBelle's "Christmas Collection:20th Century Masters" can be purchased here at Amazon.com and I PROMISE you its worth the money...