Alexander Oneal - My Gift To You
I had to pull this out for Terrill from The Urban Music Scene since he is a big Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis fan. And since I gave him my review of Cherrelle. And because its that time of the year to reflect on good music like this. I am talking about Alexander Oneals' "My Gift To You".
Track Listing:
~ My Gift To You
~ Sleigh Ride
~ Our First Christmas
~ Remember Why (It's Christmas)
~ The Little Drummer Boy
~ The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
~ This Christmas
~ Winter Wonderland
~ Thank You For A Good Year
~ Remember Why (Its Christmas) Reprise
When Alexander decided to bless the whole universe with his own way to celebrate Christmas, I don't know if he knew that this album would be much better than some of his secular music. I mean, he still had the producers (Jimmy & Terry). He still had the vibe. He was mellow. The "Hearsay" album was hot! I have that one. Do You?
He touched the originals & made them funky. Out of ALL of my christmas albums in my collection, this one gets played so much, that I had to fool around & buy another copy. To be sure that if the record skips, I have another one on standby.
There's a spiritual feel to every song on the album. "My Gift To You" (title track) should have been renamed for Alex's 3rd album. Because the minute you hear that song, it takes your attention away from Christmas & makes you listen to the complete arrangement. It could have been another hot R&B single for Alex. By then, "Sleigh Ride" falls right into place. Another song, "Remember Why (Its Christmas), featured the vocal choir power of another group founded by Jimmy & Terry called "Sounds Of Blackness". And boy they delivered! I do remember the original "This Christmas" & to voice my opinion about who would redo the cover to it best: I would have to go with Alex & The Whispers. (hehehe)
"My Gift To You" will easily be an album of choice. To be played the whole year round. I'm serious! It only took Alex 3 weeks to do this album. Um, Um Um.
Not too many Christmas albums, with the exception of The Temptations, The Whispers & Mahalia Jackson, can crossover & be played like everyday music. Writer A. Scott Galloway delivered a sweet memorable commentary in the liner notes. Like I said before about good music: If you don't got it, go get it.
Charles F. Sherard
The Urban Music Scene
very good review, i enjoyed reading it, now i have to dig through boxes of cd's and put alex in the car.
concept
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You're so right. That album was it!! Good review Charles.
More-Us
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