I participated in this event on behalf of Wendy’s Bloggers for Verve Music Group. I received the A Mary Christmas CD to facilitate my review.

Mary J Blige - A Mary Christmas CD - her first holiday effort

I generally reserve switching on the holiday music the day after Thanksgiving, but this year I’ve made an exception. That’s because Mary J. Blige has released her first Christmas album and I couldn’t wait to give it a listen.

A Mary Christmas” is 12 tracks of holiday goodness. It’s filled with some of my favorite songs and she’s made it even more amazing by partnering with some fabulous singers. One such partnership is her duo with Barbra Streisand on “When You Wish Upon A Star.” I’ve had a four-decade love affair with Barbra and she and Blige together are breathless.  I swear, listening to these two takes me back to my childhood when it seemed everything was possible.

There are so many fabulous songs that it’s hard to pick a favorite. Blige even manages to make “Little Drummer Boy” palatable, though it’s one of those songs I usually skip on most holiday albums. Her version has a bouncy bass line that propels it forward and avoids the typical bogged down tempo sung by so many. Dare I say I actually like it?!? I do, I do!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is one track that I keep catching myself singing to. Blige’s voice creeps into my soul and I can’t help but sing along, even when I don’t mean to. It’s that addicting!

Verve LogoA Mary Christmas” Track List

  1. Little Drummer Boy
  2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
  3. My Favorite Things
  4. This Christmas
  5. The Christmas Song
  6. Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer
  7. When You Wish Upon A Star – Duet with Barbra Streisand
  8. Winter Wonderland
  9. Do You Hear What I Hear – Duet with Jessie J.
  10. Petit Papa Noël
  11. The First Noel – Duet with The Clark Sisters
  12. Noche de Paz – Duet with Marc Anthony

There really isn’t  a bad track on this CD and I appreciate how closely she kept to the traditional songs while making them her own. In fact, it’s hard to come up with one complaint about her first Christmas album. The song selections work, her voice is amazing, and the carefully chosen duets add to this outstanding CD – it’s a joy to listen to. I think many of her versions will become holiday standards and we’ll be hearing them for decades.

Mary J Blige HSN LIVE Special

Want to learn more about Blige and the CD? She’ll be on HSN on November 17  from 6 to 7 pm ET. During the one-hour show she’ll share what the holidays mean to her and discuss her partnership with Verve Music Group chairman David Foster, who’ll double as the orchestra director for the event. Blige will sing  8-10 songs. You’ll also be able to order a special HSN bundle which includes a download of 6 of Blige’s classic songs in addition to the 12 tracks. Find out more about this special hour on HSN here.

Purchase “A Mary Christmas”

A Mary Christmas”  is available at www.maryjblige.com

Check out the Verve Music Group on Facebook and Follow Mary J. Blige on Twitter

Win an Autographed Copy of “A Mary Christmas”

Mary J Blige - A Mary Christmas CD - Autographed CD Giveaway

One of you will win a personally signed CD! Mary J. Blige only signed these for bloggers and their giveaways! Please note, only one winner per household, email address, or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you are ineligible to win again. Winners must have a U.S. mailing address.

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