There is no one in the music business right now who could produce a more classic, beautiful and joyous album than can the charming, timeless Michael Bublé. Bublé's newest album of Christmas songs, surprisingly entitled Christmas, was released on Oct. 21 by Reprise Records. Although it is a bit early to listen to Christmas music, it is worth every penny and every minute.
The joy that you will inevitably feel as you listen to his album stems from a nostalgia toward old-fashioned Christmases, the kind that bring to mind warm fireplaces, roasting chestnuts and cozy sleighrides in the snow.
This is the type of Christmas where Jimmy Stewart realizes that despite his hardships, it is in fact a wonderful life. This is the type of Christmas where Judy Garland sings to her family in their parlor. This is the type of Christmas where entertainers-turned-soldiers put on shows for their comrades because they are stuck at a hotel in Vermont.
The only thing missing is the soulful, sultry voice of Bing Crosby. No worries, Michael Bublé easily fills his shoes with his soulful vibrato.
Bublé channels this era in his other albums, too, with covers of classics like "Save the Last Dance for Me," and "Sway."
Almost all of Christmas consists of covers of classic Christmas songs, with the exception of "Cold December Night," a track about wanting love for Christmas that sounds like it should be a classic; "So please just fall in love with me this Christmas,/ There's nothing else that you will need this Christmas." Gladly, Bublé, gladly.
The album's first track, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," is smoother and slower than any other contemporary cover this reviewer has heard. Bublé's soft vibrato pulls you in, and you are willing to accept the fact that yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Bublé's voice blends incredibly well with Shania Twain's on the album's only duet, "White Christmas." This version is jazzy with an appropriate number of doo wops.
Twain's brash country-pop voice harmonizes with Bublé's soft crooning that it is a wonder why they were never paired together before.
The cover of "Ave Maria" is sung in the original Latin. His operatic crooning is angelic, and the background choir vocals make the track only that much more majestic. Not only is it impressive that he sings in Latin, but his vocal chops are tested and they do not disappoint.
Michael Bublé branches out once more for "Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad." Sounding like Juanes, he takes on the Spanish language like a pro. The chorus is sung sweetly in English while the versus are sung in Spanish, and the track includes authentic percussion of a Spanish Christmas song.
Even the cover of the album is happy. On the front, he is standing on a snow-covered stoop knocking at the door with a present in his hands. On the back, he is holding out the present to the lucky girl with a smile on his face.
The last track is a six-second "Shout Out" where Michael Bublé wishes his listeners a very merry Christmas. This is the perfect way to end a perfect album that will undoubtedly bring so much joy to his fans.
Though Christmas is still a few months away, the joy of Christmas is sure to get you in the holidy spirit. After all, Michael Bublé guarantees it.
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