by Michael P. Coleman, Associate Editor
I didn’t review this album earlier in the season, because quite honestly I decided that regardless of what it sounded like, the legendary Johnny Mathis needed Michael P. Coleman’s help in selling a Christmas album about as much as Ronald McDonald needs my help selling a Big Mac. Simply put, no other artist is as aligned with Christmas music as Mathis. However, his new Sending You A Little Christmas is so excellent I decided that you needed to know about it, download it, and enjoy the absolute master of Christmas music at the top of his game.
It’s hard to believe Mathis recorded his first album of Christmas favorites 55 years ago, the perennial Merry Christmas, displaying a wonderful appreciation and youthful exuberance for the genre. Five holiday albums later and at the tender age of 78, Mathis has lost neither of these traits and turns in another holiday winner. It’s wonderful to hear an artist from his generation having taken such good care of his voice, which in my opinion is a national treasure.
This time around, Mathis shares the mike with an all-star cast of artists who’ve also embraced the music of Christmas over the years. Each duet is gorgeous, with his partners including Natalie Cole (“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”), Jim Brickman (the title track, which should become a new Christmas classic), Gloria Estefan (“Mary’s Boy Child”) The Jordanaires (“Home For The Holidays”), Vince Gill & Amy Grant (“I’ll Be Home For Christmas / White Christmas”), and Susan Boyle (“Do You Hear What I Hear”). He also partners with Billy Joel, who’s last Christmas outing was a bit more controversial (2007’s anti-war “Christmas in Fallujah”). Joel turns in a much more traditional and palatable “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)” this time around, wisely allowing the sublime Mathis to guide the way.
Mathis plays that role on the entire album, in fact, serving as host of a wonderful Christmas party that you should think about crashing this season. The host won’t mind. In fact, something tells me he’d love to see you. If you make it, tell Mathis “Thanks!” for me — Sending You A Little Christmas has brought me and mine a lot of smiles this season.
Sending You A Little Christmas is available at iTunes.
Email Michael P. Coleman at mikelsmindseye@me.com or follow him on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP
