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HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

from A MARY CHRISTMAS
Written by Ralph Blane & Hugh Martin

David Foster previously crafted seasonal top sellers for Josh Groban, Michael Bublè, Andrea Bocelli and Rod Stewart, just to name a few. In the fall of 2013, Foster added another jewel to that impressive list by producing A Mary Christmas for R&B superstar Mary J. Blige. Like its predecessors, A Mary Christmas immediately jumped to the top of the holiday charts. It reached #10 on Billboard’s Top 200, #5 on the R&B chart and was eventually certified gold.

An Intimate Evening finds Foster reinventing part of his legendary songbook with a bouquet of superb singers including his new wife, Katharine McPhee, Pia Toscano, Loren Allred, Sheléa Frazier and classical crossover tenor Fernando Varela. Among the evergreens found on the cd are the Celine Dion staples “To Love You More,” “The Power Of Love,” “The Prayer” and “Tell Him,” all originally produced and/or co-written by Foster. Also heard are the giant hits Foster produced for the late, unforgettable Whitney Houston (1963-2012). The new material includes a fantastic rendition of Ms. Allred’s trademark anthem, “Never Enough,” and a gorgeous instrumental performance by Foster on acoustic piano of “Victorious,” both of which stand out as absolute treats. This last piece should be part of the Canadian super-producer’s all instrumental music project to be released sometimes in 2020.   

On this project, Foster and Ms. Blige went for a multi-format approach by delivering a record that had something for everyone. The arrangements were mostly rooted in traditional pop, but with rich R&B and light jazz nuances in many of the arrangements. As is usual when the Hitman resided in the booth, Ms. Blige delivered one top-notch performance after another while she confirmed herself to be one of the best singers of her generation.

An outstanding moment included on A Mary Christmas was Ms. Blige’s rendition of the seasonal evergreen, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” that’s the Song of the Week. Ms. Blige’s vocals here were nothing short of spectacular. Her unique voice was warm and soulful and soothes the listener with pure class. Foster arranged this number with the great William Ross and their work shows what smooth and sophisticated with an irresistible jazzy feel can be like. Listening to A Mary Christmas showed that it continues to be the perfect cd for those who love holiday classics delivered by a great voice backed up by the world’s most talented musicians, arrangers and producers. Take a listen and…

Merry Christmas!


Listen


  • Lead Vocals: Mary J. Blige
  • Keyboards: David Foster
  • Synthesizer, Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saag
  • Drums: Rexell Hardy, Jr.
  • Bass: Alex All
  • Orchestral Arrangement by William Ross
  • Produced & Arranged by David Foster
  • Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles
Will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yule-tide gay
From now on our troubles
Will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful, faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years
We all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star
On the highest bough
And have yourself
A merry little Christmas now
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful, faithful friends who are dear to us
They gather near to us once more
And through the years
We all will be together
If the fates, if the fates allow
Hang a shining star on the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Ooo ooo ohohoh don’t y’all wait no, have now