Bublé proves that he can sing more than romantic ballads with this Christmas album that is sure to put anyone in the holiday mood.

CD Review

Artist: Michael Bublé

Album: Christmas

Label: 143, Reprise

Release Date: October 21, 2011

Reviewed by Lindsay Marshall (Toronto) 

In the days leading up to Christmas every year, numerous holiday albums are always released. It can be difficult to wade through them and separate the good, the bad, and then the truly awful (sorry, Jessica Simpson). That’s why Michael Bublé’s new Christmas album, Christmas was a welcome addition to my collection of favourite holiday albums this year.

This isn’t Bublé’s first foray into Christmas music. In November 2003, he released Let It Snow, a five song EP, containing such favourites as “The Christmas Song,” “Let It Snow,” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” all of which were re-recorded for his new, full-length album. Bublé himself has always loved Christmas music, as it was when his family heard him sing Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” that they realized what talent he had for singing jazz.

Christmas opens with a full orchestra version of “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” the perfect opening to Bublé’s album, with a slow opening that swells into a lush version of the song. Favourites like “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” are done, all with Bublé’s traditional jazz-pop vibe, topped by his sultry-sweet voice.

Bublé mostly covers traditional favourites, like a beautifully slow, jazz version of “Ave Maria,” but he makes a foray into original music with his single “Cold December Night.” He wrote the track with his longtime co-writer Alan Chang and producer Bob Rock and was released early December. With a jingling background, and (albeit typical) Christmas-time lyrics, it’s a charming addition to the canon of holiday songs.

There are also countless contemporary songs that Bublé re-makes in his own fashion. He does a slow, moody version of Mariah Carey’s holiday hit, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” For “White Christmas,” he used the original arrangement from 1954 by The Drifters (made popular by the holiday film Home Alone), complete with the background vocals and the punchy baseline. The song also features fellow Canadian Shania Twain as a welcome addition.

Another holiday favourite, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), is featured. Although covered by countless artists, Bublé’s jazz-infused version takes on a new romantic meaning, with a rock guitar bridge and a full band accompanying him (there aren’t many songs on the album that don’t have some kind of orchestra or big-band accompaniment).

“Blue Christmas” is almost Elvis-inspired with a New Orleans-type band, complete with whining trombones and a bluesy base-line. His version of “Santa Buddy” is the ultimate cheeky cover of the female song, originally sung by Eartha Kitt and made famous by Madonna’s breathy Marilyn-Monroe-esque version. Bublé asks for all kinds of male gifts, including “Canucks ticks, for kicks,” and some decorations bought at Mercedes.

The Puppini Sisters join Bublé on a swing-inspired version of “Jingle Bells,” bringing their original version of scat-singing to the new recording. Their original version was released in 2006 and they bring a hint of the same style, but this time featuring Bublé’s vocals. Latin superstar Thalia brings a Spanish-fusion to “Feliz Navidad,” where Buble sings in Spanish surprisingly well.

Bonus tracks on the disc include “Winter Wonderland” and “Frosty the Snowman.” The final bonus track is a real treat; Naturally 7, an a capella group of seven males, accompany Buble on a simple version of “Silver Bells.” With only a few instruments, it strikes a perfect balance, and wraps the album up with a perfect bow on top. Bublé proves that he can sing more than romantic ballads with this Christmas album, packed to the gills with wonderful, jazzy tracks, that is sure to put anyone in the holiday mood.

Listen to with a cup of hot chocolate, by the fire:

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home”

“Blue Christmas”

“Silver Bells”

Listen to while shopping in a bustling mall:

“Frosty the Snowman”

“White Christmas”

“Jingle Bells”

Track Listing:

1. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

3. Jingle Bells (Ft. The Puppini Sisters)

4. White Christmas (duet with Shania Twain)

5. All I Want For Christmas Is You

6. Have A Holly Jolly Christmas

7. Santa Buddy

8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

9. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

10. Silent Night

11. Blue Christmas

12. Cold December Night

13. I'll Be Home For Christmas

14. Ave Maria

15. Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad (duet with Thalia)

16. Winter Wonderland (bonus track)

17. Frosty the Snowman (bonus track)

18. Silver Bells (Ft. Naturally 7) (bonus track)

Written by :

Lindsay Marshall