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This Christmas, Aretha | 
 enlarge | Label: DMI Records
Category: Music
Buy New: $15.38
New (7) Used (6) from $15.15
Rating:  13 reviews
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 5 x 0.4
UPC: 643027817024
EAN: 0643027817024
Publication Date: 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Aretha's first ever Christmas album! Aretha Franklin's multitude of loyal listeners will be thrilled that the wait for such a momentous project is over and has been truly worthwhile. Released through DMI Music, "This Christmas Aretha," shimmers and sparkles as the acclaimed artist puts her definitive stamp on a mix of 11 traditional and contemporary classics associated with the holiday season. Aretha Franklin herself produced three tracks and arranged and added her inimitable touch as a pianist to two tracks ("Silent Night" and "14 Angels"). Award-winning producer Tena Clark (whose production credits include Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan and a multitude of other major artists) masterminded seven cuts. Track listing: 1. Angels We Have Heard On High 2. This Christmas 3. My Grown Up Christmas List 4. The Lord Will Make A Way 5. Silent Night 6. Ave Maria 7. Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without The One You Love) 8. 14 Angels 9. One Night With The King 10. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 11. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
Much to like on this set for people that appreciate artful singing December 31, 2008
Peace Brotha (Ohio, United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The reviewer by the name of Katchy hit the nail RIGHT on the head.
It is only natural for us to expect singers (especially those that are famous) to sound the same over the years, even if logic and common sense tell us that people don't age the same way for the same reasons.
Aretha is my favorite vocal artist, male or female, living or not, any genre. I love many of her albums. This is not one that I love even after many spins. But there is much that I like about it.
First off, let's talk about The Voice. Aretha's subtle nuances are still one of a kind and cannot be duplicated by anyone. As with much of Aretha's art, these nuances may not be obvious on the first listen but are very clear on the "dry-down."
Even on the controversial opener with the questionable and sometimes scary interpretation of the chorus, 'Angels We Have Heard On High', we can hear these not-so-obvious moments. Aretha is at her best now when she can take her time. "And the mountains ... in reply" is a beautifully phrased line, with the caramel of her voice coming through. The last line before the final chorus is also beautiful in its vocal and phrasing - "while our hearts, with love we praise." In that one line she takes it from sounding like a young innocent schoolgirl to a seasoned woman that can teach the young 'uns. The subtle melisma on the word "praise" is like the vocal equivalent to watching cake batter fold on itself as it's poured in the bowl.
That gorgeous billowy quality, first noticed on Aretha 1980, is not something I have ever heard in anyone else's voice. Time and possibly personal lifestyle choices may have cut down the number of times we hear that from Aretha, but that quality - among with many other good ones - are still there, in spite of some admittedly missed vocal opportunities with this set.
Production values and the background vocals and arrangements on this CD are classy, polished and tasteful. It's light on the elusive "soul" factor, but this is a work that is very contemporary yet will stand the test of time. Producer Tena Clark should be proud.
My recommendation is to take This Christmas Aretha in its proper context: a living legend who has been pushing her voice to the extreme for decades is still with us and sharing what she has left. Take these performances for what they are. Don't give in to the easy temptation to unfairly compare 2008 with 1968 and expect Aretha to holler and carry on like some of the younger ladies do.
You just may realize that this set - on its OWN merits - is far from perfect, but still asserts in more than a few ways that the Queen Of Soul is entitled to her crown.
Long Live Queen Ree.
 I love this cd! All hail the Queen!!!!! December 30, 2008
Katchy
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have been a fan for years and I shocked that people review cd's without purchasing or even hearing them. I have let people hear this cd in the car and they love it. In fact they go and get it for themselves. We have gotten so used to this canned music from these young no talents that we can't see real talent anymore. Aretha does not sound at 66 like she did at 26, but who does? I've been to all the divas shows and the truth is they are all aging and having good and bad days. The devos too. That said I listened objectively and cannot for the life of me understand the negative reviews. Aretha has plenty voice left and is using it quite nicely here. "One night with the king" and "Grown up Christmas list" are my favorites. "Ave Maria" is near perfection and "Christmas ain't Christmas" is the jam. I heard some tracks that could have been better, but I would never incourage anybody not to buy a cd. What is that?
 Unbearable At Times December 27, 2008
D. French (Rochester NY)
Like many of the other reviews I must say Aretha has always been one of my favorites but this is just a lot of noise...At times her screaming is so unbearable you have to go to the next track. Soon you realize you are at the end of the CD. There are a few good songs but by the time you get half way through you start thinking of what CD you will play next. This could have been a great CD and I just don't understand why Aretha insists on screaming instead of just singing with her great voice.
 A Very Enjoyable Holiday Listen from Aretha! December 26, 2008
A Music Fan (NY/NJ Metro Area)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There are two types of people in life - those who will always notice what others can do and those who will always notice what others can't do. When it comes to singers and songs, there are those who will always criticize whatever they listen to, while there are those who will listen with an open mind. I chose the latter, and was very pleasantly surprised. Does Aretha hit every note? No. Does she hold every note to perfection? No. Is her voice what it used to be? Of course not. Some will take those three factors to be totally negative and use it as an excuse to dismiss this CD as well as Aretha herself as no longer "having what it takes" and "this CD should never have been made."
To those who say that, they couldn't be more wrong and are, in fact, doing themselves an injustice by not relaxing and enjoying what is a soulful and heartfelt effort from one who remains "The Queen Of Soul." I'm glad she didn't go back and clean up every note or slight vocal imperfection (which are few and easy to overlook - she is 66, not 16, in case anyone forgot.) If she wanted to, she certainly would have - and chose NOT to. Personally, I would rather have a true artist singing from their heart with conviction and meaning than studio engineered "perfection." These Christmas songs show Aretha's star still soulfully shining brightly, flaws and all, which make her all the more human, as well as these songs all the more personal and touching. That is a rare quality by any artist these days, and something to be appreciated (not criticized), all the more.
Did Sinatra hit every note before his star burned out? Did Pavarotti? Does Tony Bennett still hit every note? Of course not. Are they still legends? Of course they are. Aretha is in fine voice, and still has more soul with her inimitable way with a lyric, a chorus or in the way she improvises a few words on this CD than many of her contemporaries' complete CD output combined (with apologies to Janet, Rihanna, Beyonce, Brandy, Mariah, etc. - and they would respectfully agree with me.) Don't get me wrong - I like those artists, but there's no way they're as genuine or even come close to Aretha, and it's not everyday you get to hear a legend singing from his or her heart. I have about 20 different versions of "Ave Maria" by artists I like, who feel it's obligatory to include it on a Christmas CD, when in fact, the exact opposite is true. However, I couldn't wait to hear Aretha's interpretation of it (which was beautiful), and as with the rest of this very good CD, I wasn't disappointed in the least. And you won't be, either!
Good to me. December 25, 2008
T. Richardson (East Coast)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I don't understand all the negative reviews, and rather cruel reviews many seem to be. The lady is 66, you don't really expect her to have the exact singing sound she had in 1965 or even 1990. I would like to see many of these 'critics' do what they did exactly the same from age 24-40 to age 65-70. To me her voice sounds fine, still has a lot of the same soulfulness. I'm 39, so obviously was not around for her early years or was just a kid. I have always liked her singing and sound, I like this CD and glad I downloaded it. It's not perfect, but it is worth owning. Thank you Aretha, may you live and sing for many more years.
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