You’ve set the scene for the holidays—a cozy fire, lights of red and green, and those near and dear to your heart gathered around the tree—all that’s missing is this year’s most anticipated seasonal album. Just in time for your holiday traditions to commence, John Legend’s first ever collection of holiday songs, A Legendary Christmas, will put you in the yuletide spirit with its contemporary twist on classic carols.
Full to the brim with your holiday favorites, A Legendary Christmas showcases Legend’s signature smooth vocals, which become the perfect compliment to timeless melodies that define the season. True to his iconic knack for elegance, Legend spins the usual Christmas tunes into his own legendary arrangements, brightening your December with new sounds for the holidays.
On A Legendary Christmas, the singer-turned-film producer lends his soulful charisma to grandiose remakes of holiday staples, while also delving into the singing style of crooners of past generations. With Legend’s modern and masterful musicianship coupled with his newfound old-fashioned flair, this holiday collection sweetly brings Christmas oldies into the light of present day while simultaneously harkening to yesteryear.
Legend’s take on renowned Christmas classics will fill you with holiday cheer from the opening track, “What Christmas Means to Me,” featuring Stevie Wonder. Executive-produced by Raphael Saadiq, A Legendary Christmas is an elegant tapestry woven with colorful Christmas essentials, like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song.” Each number showcases Legend’s unique perspective of holiday music, with big-band excitement combined with a classy, 70s groove. The singer’s renditions of songs like “Silver Bells” pull traditional tunes into a variety of genres and decades. Perhaps the most surprising adaptation is Legend’s “Christmas Time Is Here,” which turns up the dynamics on the song made famous by A Charlie Brown Christmas. This track is probably the creative highlight on the album, offering listeners a peek into Legend’s incomparable versatility.
While the track listing of A Legendary Christmas exceeds expectations, Legend also includes some original songs that show off the songwriter’s gift of capturing tender emotion with emotive lyrics and warm melodies. His own number, “Bring Me Love,” evokes retro feels and holiday vibes with a cutesy chord progression and a sing-a-long chorus.
Although popping with bright and cheerful notes, the album also brings some of the more melancholy moments of the holiday season into focus. On “Waiting for Christmas,” Legend sings a bittersweet reminder that a day as wonderful as Christmas can only come once a year. “By Christmas Eve” is Legend’s version of a holiday homecoming ballad, as he promises his loved ones that he’ll meet them before Christmas morning.
If an album wasn’t enough to get you feeling the holiday joy, Legend is hitting the road for a 25-date tour. After beginning his tour in Clearwater, Legend will be traveling the country sharing his seasonal songs through December 30th.
From an uplifting new album to a seasonal tour, John Legend will remind you of the simple happiness of the most magical time of the year. Wherever your holiday plans take you, you won’t want to begin the festivities without A Legendary Christmas.
