CHRISTMAS: A SEASON OF LOVE – Idina Menzel (Decca Records)
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
How many Christmas albums have you accumulated over the years? Now, how many of them do you actually play throughout this festive period? If like me the answer to the first question is 30 or more and the answer to the second is approximately six then you may want to up that by one more album.
Idina Menzel, arguably one of Broadway’s iconic musical stars, has brought out her second Xmas album and it’s full of goodies. Obviously, we have the usual suspects: ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’; ‘O Holy Night’; ‘Winter Wonderland’, etc but don’t worry – they may be old favourites but they have a slightly new Menzel twist to them.
Then we have guest artists duetting on the album: Billy Porter (‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’); Josh Gad (‘We Wish You the Merriest’); Ariana Grande (‘A Hand For Mrs Claus’); Aaron Lohr – Menzel’s husband (‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’) and a lovely little touch with her three-year old son Walker in ‘Hannukkah Blessing’.
All-in-all there are 18 tracks on this album, some old favourites and some new songs – what isn’t on this album is one dud track. You get into the spirit straight away and it holds you there for the duration. Just listen to the song ‘At This Table’ and immerse yourself in its message of acceptance to one and all.
Forget the yuletide carols for a bit – there’s only so much Slade and Cliff Richard you can bear at this time of year – treat yourself and those around you by getting this album and having yourself a really jolly Xmas season.
Nick Wakeham
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