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Top 10 Classic R&B/Soul Christmas Albums |
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Written by Administrator
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 If you're looking for classic, timeless R&B/Soul Christmas and holiday albums and songs that continually last from season to season, we have the list for you.
Here is a list of 10 absolutely-must-have R&B/Soul classic Christmas and Holiday albums. We chose these sets for their timelessness, passion and listenability. All of of these selections, in our opinion, are worthy of being spun for years and years to come and still be enjoyable. So whether you're looking to build a holiday collection from scratch or are looking to discover something new, enjoy this list. Happy holidays!
To purchase CDs, click on the cover art or title link. To legally download, click on the iTunes logo. If you do not have iTunes, you can download it here by clicking the "Download iTunes" icon above.
| Explore Soul Christmas, 74 individual tracks from iTunes Essentials » |
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 1. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
Recognized as one of, if not THE, penultimate Christmas album, Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song was re-released in 1999 and sports two previously unreleased tracks ("God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" and "O Come All Ye Faithful") as well as the technologically induced daughter-father duet of the title track. This is one of the few albums that can be played repeatedly for generations and never grow old. Cop. Purchase
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 2. This Is Christmas - Luther Vandross
This must-have CD features seven original songs created by Vandross as well as his reverent rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful." Other highlights include the Motown-inspired "I Listen To The Bells" featuring the legendary Cissy Houston. Easily one of the best Christmas albums around, this ranks in timelessness with Nat King Cole's album. Purchase
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 3. Give Love at Christmas - Temptations
This holiday classic features the spine-tingling version of "Silent Night" that has become a holiday staple. An excellent - if not the best - version of "Little Drummer Boy" can be found here as well as an amazing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Purchase
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 4. Motown Christmas 2 - Various Artists
This almost surreal compilation spans the 60s to the 80s and features the Supremes rendition of "O Holy Night" with Florence Ballard ripping up the lead. Other highlights include Marvin Gaye's live version of "The Christmas Song" (and his "Purple Snowflakes"), "Winter Wonderland" from the Funk Brothers and more. Purchase
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 5. Motown Christmas - Various Artists
This original volume contains the haunting Stevie Wonder track "Someday At Christmas" as well as classics from Smokey Robinson And The Miracles ("Jingle Bells"), The Jackson 5 ("Frosty The Snowman," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus") and Wonder's "Ave Maria." Classic! Purchase
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 6. This Christmas - Patti Labelle
All but three of the songs on this
1990 release are originals written specifically for this Labelle project. The
musical legend renders Donny Hathaway's classic "This Christmas," as
well as a thrilling "O Holy Night." Purchase
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 7. The Spirit of Christmas - Ray Charles
Charles' genius warms up "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," but he really burns it up with a sexy rendition of "Winter Wonderland" and the classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside" featuring Betty Carter. Purchase
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 8. Soul Christmas - Various Artists
This excellent compilation of Christmas classics performed by soul artists, comes straight from the Atlantic Records vaults. Of the many highlights there's Donny Hathaway's unforgettable "This Christmas," Clarence Carter's naughty "Back Door Santa," and the Drifters soulful version of "White Christmas." Purchase
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 9. This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love) - Teddy Pendergrass
This 2001 release is an instant classic which sees Pendergrass blessing traditional and contemporary tunes in a collection more secular than spiritual. The legendary soulster brings a genius spin to John Lennon's classic "Happy Xmas" and devises cool versions of "Joy to the World" and "We Three Kings." Don't sleep on this one! Purchase
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 10. Merry Christmas - Mariah Carey
Guaranteed to satisfy die-hards and create fans where there were none, this collection of classic Christmas tunes finds Mariah Carey offering some of her best work. Tight production, instrumentation and background vocals from the Price sisters are also higlights on the set, where an awe-inspiring version of "O Holy Night" just might put tears in your eyes. Purchase
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