Legend Of The Fall.
Tis the season to cuddle up by the chestnuts roasting on an open fire with the one you Chrissy Teigen this Christmas. As you wrap the last of your presents to put under the tree you decorated on that first night like a partridge in a pear one. Picture the scene whether you're in the festive spirit yet. Or still all Scrooged out on the ghosts of a past, last Christmas carol you gave your heart like the very next day (Rest Peacefully gorgeous George). It's almost like a hallmark card here in this household Legend. Like 'The Christmas Chronicle' of the new greatest Santa showman Kurt Russell and the perfect red cape and boot fitting Mrs. Claus, Goldie Hawn. But here 'A Legendary Christmas' and it's Bublé like televised special of love in the family home (and the reunion reprise of The Stephens Family all back together after all these 2004 years for the brandy warm classic, 'It Don't Have To Change') could even chill Netflix's 'Springsteen On Broadway' show live from New York City right now...yeah I said it Boss! No I'm not bitter because I couldn't make a ticket in Manhattan...honest. But this Christmas cake slice of New York, Rat Pack nostalgia with a sherry dash of Nat King Cole and so much more is the perfect Christmas offering like actress Zooey Deschanel's She & Him Christmas album, the one from R&B luminary Tank, his G.O.O.D. Music man Kanye West's 'Christmas In Harlem' collaboration, or even the 'A Murray Christmas' Netflix special reunion between Sofia Coppola and her 'Lost In Translation' cult legend, big in more than just Japan, Bill Murray. Produced by Lucy Pearl and Tony, Toni, Tone powerhouse Raphael Saadiq too (who really took it back to the good old Motown and rock and roll days with his 'The Way I See It' and 'Stone Rollin'' solo double act), so this is the Christmas of legends. After a terrible term of a couple of years where we lost Prince's, Kings of the world's like Ali and Ziggy's and in return just got a Trump. For at least tonight war is over...if you want it.
Good tidings dear John brings. So get your whole family round the piano before you leave the milk and cookies out for Santa. And don't forget the carrot for Rudolph. The king of R&B kings gives us a cracker as you're in for a yuletide treat with all the turkey and tinsel trimmings. Home for the holidays and live from the Legend living room, for the picture perfect family. Seriously have you seen how cute and exactly like them this couples kids are? Bestill our collective hearts. Coming out the 'Darkness and Light' of his last album, John Stephens' sixth signature is something special as he gets us lifted again like '04. 'Coming Home' like the emotion 'Once Again' of his tribute track to soldiers returning from the frontlines which even struck a chord with this writer when he was living in the cold of Canada a million miles away from the heart of home a decade ago (even that is absolutely nothing compared to those whose service we should pray thanks for now and New Year forever more). The 'All Of Me' singer give us all of him as he now has more than a stocking filler to put next to his classic, career high iconic track and every new married couples first dance since it's 2013 engagement. This album covering Christmas standards and his own new recorded traditions will play for December 25th's to come. But right now as everyone is tweeting Christmas Eve Eve like Phoebe from 'Friends' this is one for your scotch tape and gift tag playlist as you rip off the plastic seal like kids all that wrapping on Christmas morning and see that Santa hat wearing profile on white snow. Like the face you make when you're taking everyones Christmas money. But with good cheer. Here's to the man whose festive feeling, mood music should run like putting Santa's hat in with your whites. Because you best believe this will wash like all those dishes you might find easier to scrub come Boxing Day as you're still singing along into the scourer. The 'Evolver' legend really is evolving like that step away from the piano, Andre 3000 'Green Light' for go classic, game changer which might have even set this very album off back in the day, or his old soul 'Wake Up' collaboration with Jimmy Fallon show and rap band of legends The Roots planting more than a seed of Philadelphia soul. Forget 'Love In The Future'. This is life how it used to be and how we wish come true it still could be right about now.
Signed, sealed and delivered down your chimney like the big fella (no not Shaq! But you should see what that Claus brings kids in gifts each and every year) Legend even brings another to the party in the harmonica of Stevie Wonder as the new most wholesoman man in crossover old soul and pop music brings us a new wonder version of 'What Christmas Means To Me' (or more like him). And keeping it Detroit spinning in Motown with a good King Cole, Rat Pack like twist, John dusts off the legend of the ultimate one Marvin Gaye's 'Purple Snowflakes' left on Berry Gordy's cutting room floor for around 30 years as the First African American EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony people) reaches for a higher power with the God himself. He even goes into The Jackson's family home for 'Give Love On Christmas Day', before giving more soul power to the 'Please Come Home For Christmas' this lovesick writer was shamefully singing last Christmas, one made 90's famous with Jon Bon Jovi playing MTV video house with the supermodel of supermodels Cindy Crawford. But it's when he carries on timeless tradition for the likes of the ringing 'Silver Bells' or the Nat King roasting of chestnuts on 'The Christmas Song' that this record of 'Christmas Is Here' or 'Merry Christmas Baby' gets classic. But like the 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' duet with Esperanza Spalding and it's wholesome for the holidays Vevo video with beautiful imagery where Legend even makes ugly sweaters look stylish as GQ F, you haven't heard anything yet on a man who could make this music his new calling card everytime you're writing one come the advent of December. I just want to see him drive home for Christmas and cover 'Silent Night' aswell as Miley Cyrus did for her Murray Christmas. But like 'No Place Like Home' this 'Legendary Christmas' really comes into its own when Legend writes his own dedications with his velvet vocal range below the part in the card that says something saccharine about a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2019. You'll throw another log on the fire and let this family album snow from 'Bring Me Love' to 'Waiting For Christmas'. The inneudo bow laced (c'mon listen to any song about Mommy kissing Santa Claus and see that there is more than one hidden message here) 'Wrap Me Up In Your Love' might just be a new, modern day Christmas classic above the album. Whilst the Saadiq assisted 'Merry, Merry Christmas' is the perfect closer to play us out over the holidays behind the family piano. But speaking of top to toe in tailbacks and red lights all around it's the grand gesture of 'By Christmas Eve' and it's loving lyrics of, "Just hang up the Christmas lights, and I'll do the rest tonight/Just tell the kids I'm coming, I swear that I'll be running/And under the Christmas tree, together yet we will be I promise/I'm gonna walk, if I have to run/I'll stand on the highway and stop someone/I'll cross the deserts and oceans, a river that's frozen/I'll follow the stars just to find where you are/You can count on me/Make a wish, close your eyes, and believe/I'll be home, home, home, home, home by Christmas Eve" that really leaves a lasting impression come the night before, where not even mice of all critters are stirring. All is calm, all is bright. Drop the needle on the record as it scratches that spirits itch and raise your cup of egg nog and drink like the late, great Bernie Mac "before it goes bad". To you and yours happy holidays. A Merry Christmas and a legendary New Year. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Cracking Tracks: Just take your partner by the hand under the miseltoe and let it play.
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