Christmas and New Year’s is Gregory Porter’s self-proclaimed favorite time of year. This season, he’s spreading holiday cheer with the release of his first-ever Christmas album, Christmas Wish. A 12-track compilation of original songs, holiday carols and soulful classics, the album is a beautiful interpretation of what Christmas means to Porter.
Gregory released the title track “Christmas Wish” and the hope-filled ballad “Everything’s Not Lost” in advance of the album. The two singles set the tone for the project with sentiments of cherished family traditions, love, sharing and hope. They are two of three original songs penned by Porter. The third is the album closer “Heart For Christmas,” a heartwarming ballad about believing in the hope and renewal of Christmas as adults the same way we did as children. “You might say that Christmas is for girls and boys / So they can have their fun and joys / If Christmas is for children and children turned to men / Give me a heart of Christmas again,” he croons on the chorus.
Porter continues his jubilant journey with his interpretation of traditional standards including “Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “Christmas Time Is Here.” He reaches into his soulful Santa bag on his versions of the Stevie Wonder classic “Someday At Christmas” and Marvin Gaye’s “Purple Snowflakes,” a pair of standouts on the album.
If this album was a Christmas tree, the star on top would be “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” however. Porter turns the song into a duet with fellow GRAMMY Award winner, jazz darling Samara Joy, and their complementary vocals are heaven-sent. Surely Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Lena Horne and other jazz artists-turned-ancestors who recorded the song before them over the years are smiling down.
With Christmas Wish, Gregory Porter fulfills our Christmas wish for a new holiday collection that sounds like the timeless classics of yesteryear. This festive gem is one of the crown jewels of 2023’s crop of Christmas releases.
Gregory Porter Christmas Wish [Amazon][Apple Music][TIDAL]
