Another Blog Post with a Christmas Playlist!

So in the hours since I posted the first playlist, I decided to post another blog entry since it is Christmas and I have the time. Again these are not in a specific order. I am not comparing or ranking these in any form or fashion. Feel free to comment with your Christmas hits below!

Let's Start Shall We

Christmas With Brandy-"Christmas Party for Two" (2023)

"Christmas with Brandy" hit the scene in 2023 and I must say she hit us gloriously. One of my personal faves would be "Christmas Party for Two." The Vocal Bible, slays the Holy Christmas classics as well as the more secular, sensual Christmas ballads. It makes me want to know my bae "biblically" indeed. What are your favorite songs from Brandy's "Christmas with Brandy"?

A Mary Christmas "The First Noel" -Mary J Blige, ft. The Clark Sisters (2013)

"A Mary Christmas" blessed us greatly in 2013. This album featured heavy hitters such as Jessie J, Marc Anthony, The Clark Sisters, and Christ Botti. One of my favorite holiday treats is of course "The First Noel" featuring the Legendary Clark Sisters! For us former Church Kweens and Kids, this includes legends of R &B and Gospel. Did you know that Twinkie Clark's "Sweet Love," influenced Mary J's "Everything?" (IG: CultureNSound). Get into "The First Noel" below. What's your favorite cut from "A Mary Christmas"?

Luther Vandross-"Have Your Self A Merry Little Christmas" -"This is Christmas" (1995)

I must pay homage to the REAL KING OF R&B, the dear ancestor Luther Vandross. I wanted to included another song from his "This is Christmas" Album. One of my favorites from this album is "Have Your Self a Merry Little Christmas." Yes, Judy Garland sang that song for the Gawds, but Luther adds so much more to the song. No offense to Mrs. Garland, but I'm keeping it Blickity Blickity Black! Let me hush and let you listen for yourself!!! What's your favorite from "This is Christmas?" Rest Well, Luther Vandross!!

Nat King cole "The Christmas Song" 1961

What can I say about Nat King Cole? The father of great Natalie Cole? He set a standard which made it necessary that he is Nat KING Cole. An Icon in Jazz and Christmas history I present his 1961 rendition of "The Christmas Song" written by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé (1946). Nat King Cole's version of "The Christmas Song" was selected for preservation in the united states National Recording Registry as being "culturally, historially, or aesthetically significant" (Brett Zongker et al "Library of Congress News Room: newsroom.loc.gov. " It has also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in the top 10 on January 7th, 2023. With that being said "Merry Christmas to You..."

Whitney Houston "Do You Hear What I Hear" - "A Very Special Christmas" (1987)

In 1987 Whitney Houston, The Voice, donated her recording of the classic "Do You Hear What I Hear," for the "A Very Special Christmas" benefit album. "A Very Special Christmas" served to benefit the Special Olympics. (https://www.whitneyhouston.com/hu/track/do-you-hear-what-i-hear/). Whitney Houston's vocals reaches the heaven hosts, announcing the birth the baby Jesus. Can I get an amen? Family, let's behold in love and veneration Whitney Houston's "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Venturing into some Gospel Treasures

Kirk Franklin & The Family "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"- Christmas (1996)

Christmas wouldn't be melanated without a little Gospel. It was the 1990s and Kirk Franklin and the Family had rocked the world with "Why Do We Sing?" and Kirk Franklin had already got us with "Joy" featuring the Georgia Mass Choir. Welp We can all remember singing "Now Behold the Lamb" and the legendary "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." Can I get a "Glooo ooooo ooo ooo oo ooo o o o o ooo RIIII AAAHHHH!!!" Wait? Too Much? Okay I'll let them singing it!!!

Durand Bernarr- Extra Stankin' Christmas - "Christmas Shopping in July" (2012)

We gotta add our Cousin, Durand Bernarr to the list! This veteran released an "Extra Stankin' Christmas" in 2012 and is in my holiday rotation. Why? Because "I can't stand them lines, that's why I do my shopping in July." It's very much why be bothered with the hustle and bustle of capitalism when we can just buy it right then. He has a point ya know!

Run DMC - "Christmas in Hollis" from "A Very Special Christmas" (1987)

Let's briefly journey back to 1987 with Run DMC and the "A Very Special Christmas" benefit album. Now this song samples Clarence Carters "Back Door Santa," "Frosty the Snowman," "Joy to the World" and other Christmas Jingles. The title references the neighborhood in Queens where the groups members grew up. Check out "Christmas in Hollis"

Ari Lennox "My Favorite Things" (2022)

Ari Lennox put her glory all up in and through Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic "My Favorite Things!." Popularized by Julie Andrews in the Broadway Classic "The Sound of Music," "My Favorite Things" has been covered by Luther Vandross, John Coltrane, The Supremes, and Mary J. Blige to name a few. Let's reminisce on our favorite things. Which cover is your favorite cover?

The Peanuts Gang- Christmastime is Here from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965) -The Vince Guaraldi Trio

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" aired on December 1965 creating a standard for Family Christmas movies. The Peanuts gang taught us some morals of kindness and illustrated race in it's ways ie Franklin. However in my Black household, Charlie Brown and the crew were embedded in my musical journey. The Vince Guaraldi Trio exemplifies grace when it comes to "Christmastime is Here." What's your favorite Charlie Brown, Christmas song?