I’ve been a fan of Kelly Clarkson for some time and decided to give her Christmas album, Wrapped in Red (2013), a listen.
The standard Christmas songs, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Run Run Rudolph,” “Please Come Home For Christmas,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “White Christmas,” “My Favorite Things,” and “Silent Night” all sound…Christmassy!
What makes this Christmas album different are the newer songs, and one cover. “Underneath the Tree,” really grabbed my attention. “Winter Dreams” and “Just for Now”–a cover of an Imogen Heap song–are special. If you’re looking for a different Christmas album for the season, you might try this blend of old and new songs sung superbly by Kelly Clarkson. Do you see any of your Christmas favorites here? GRADE: B+
TRACK LIST:
| Kelly Clarkson– | Wrapped In Red | 3:36 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | Underneath The Tree | 3:49 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | 3:39 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | Run Run Rudolph | 2:27 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | Please Come Home For Christmas (Bells Will Be Ringing) | 3:19 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | Every Christmas | 3:46 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | Blue Christmas | 2:52 | |
| Kelly Clarkson Featuring Ronnie Dunn– | Baby, It’s Cold Outside | 3:01 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | Winter Dreams (Brandon’s Song) | 3:22 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | White Christmas | 3:02 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | My Favorite Things | 2:49 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | 4 Carats | 3:28 | |
| Kelly Clarkson– | Just For Now | 3:30 | |
| Kelly Clarkson Featuring Reba* And Trisha Yearwood– | Silent Night | 4:09 |
| 15 | I’ll Be Home For Christmas (ITunes Session)Bass – Einar PedersenDrums – Miles McPhersonElectric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Jason HalbertMixed By – Jason HalbertOrgan [Hammond B3] – Jason HalbertPiano – Jason HalbertProgrammed By – Jason HalbertRecorded By – Jason HalbertTrumpet – Leif ShiresWritten-By – Buck Ram, Kim Gannon, Walter Kent | 2:55 | |
| 16 | Oh Come, Oh Come EmmanuelKeyboards – Greg KurstinWritten-By [Christmas Carol] – Traditional |
Well, she does my favorite carol, “O Come O Come, Emmanuel”, so I will have to give it a listen.
Deb, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by WRAPPED IN RED. “O Come O Come, Emmanuel” is only on the TARGET Deluxe CD.
In its month-long Christmas Music-a-Thon this year, the local “Hits of the ’80s, 90s, and Today” station is playing “Underneath the Tree” more than Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas.” Surely, the Queen of Christmas can’t be amused. Will she challenge Kelly to a cage match?
Fred, my money would be on Mariah!
Not a fan of Christmas music, but I do like the first two songs listed. I believe “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” was introduced in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, where it was sung by Judy Garland.
Jeff, same here. Loved “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as sung by Judy Garland. My next couple of Christmas albums will be a little “different.”
I’ll give credit to the photographer, who made her look much more attractive than she is in that picture! As for her warbling, I can take it or leave it! Mostly leave it!
Bob, Kelly Clarkson is no Cassandra Wilson…
Who?