Christmas (Jaci Velasquez album) explained
Christmas is the sixth studio album by contemporary Christian singer Jaci Velasquez.[3] The album was released under Word Entertainment.[3] She toured in November and December 2001 to support the album. A Spanish-language version of the album, Navidad, was released on November 6, 2001.[4]
Description and reviews
Velasquez described the album, "For my ideal Christmas album, I wanted to record the songs I have always loved, done in their original arrangements, to make an album that will sound good now but will also sound good years from now." The related review indicated that it blends traditional 1950s style arrangements with the pop Velasquez had come to be known for. Reviewer John DiBiase called it "a creative, fun, traditional Christmas project that will touch the hearts of all ages" and "one of the best-orchestrated Christmas projects put out in the contemporary Christian music to date."[5]
AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars saying it is "beautifully orchestrated with touches of traditional Christmas-style jazz and contemporary pop."[6]
Charts
The album peaked on the Billboard 200 at No. 102 and No. 6 on Billboards Top Contemporary Christian Albums charts.[7]
Track listing
Notes
- The album contains three original tracks (including "The Angel Song") plus a series of covers of Christmas classics.
Personnel
- Jaci Velasquez – vocals
- Kent Hooper – keyboards (1, 12, 13), programming (2, 9)
- Tim Akers – acoustic piano (5)
- Scott Krippayne – acoustic piano (5)
- Gary Burnette – guitars (2, 9)
- David Cleveland – guitars (2, 9)
- George Cocchini – guitars (2, 9)
- Michael Ripoll – guitars (12, 13)
- Ronnie Brooks – guitars (13)
- Danny O'Lannerghty – bass guitar (2, 5, 9, 13), instrumental section (5)
- Abel Orta – bass guitar (12)
- John Hammond – drums (2, 5, 9)
- Javier Solis – drums (12)
- Taylor Harris – drums (13)
- Ken Lewis – percussion (1, 2, 9, 12)
- David Davidson – strings (1, 9, 12)
- Sam Levine – horns (7)
- Doug Moffett – horns (7)
- Denis Solee – horns (7)
- Ernie Collins – horns (7)
- Chris Dunn – horns (7)
- Barry Green – horns (7)
- Chris McDonald – horns (7), horn arrangements (7)
- Jeff Bailey – horns (7)
- Steve Patrick – horns (7)
- Mike Haynes – trumpet (12)
- Mark Douthit – saxophone (13)
- The Irish Film Orchestra – orchestra
- Christopher Harris – backing vocals, arrangements (1), vocal arrangements (2, 6, 8, 9), Chipmunk singing vocals (13)
- Tom Howard – arrangerments (3, 11), orchestra arrangements and conductor
- Alan Moore – vocal arrangements (3, 4, 11)
- Leanne Albrecht – backing vocals
- Lisa Bevill – backing vocals
- Lisa Cochran – backing vocals
- Tim Davis – backing vocals
- Mark Ivey – backing vocals
- Michael Mellett – backing vocals
- Felicia Sorensen – backing vocals
- Pete Orta – vocals (9)
- Gary Pigg – Chipmunk singing vocals (13)
- Ross and Janice Bagdasarian – Chipmunk speaking (13)
Children vocalists on "Feliz Navidad" and the Christmas Kids on "The Chipmunk Song"
- Ashley Anderson, Anna Flautt, Brandon Harris, Margaret Patton, Gabe Pigg and Landon Pigg
Production
- Judith Volz – executive producer, A&R direction
- Christopher Harris – producer
- Kent Hooper – recording, mixing (13)
- James "JB" Baird – recording
- Dan Garcia – overdub recording
- Fred Paragano – overdub recording
- David Sandwisch – overdub recording
- Andrew Bolland – orchestra recording
- Trevor Johnson – orchestra recording assistant
- Emma Jane Lennon – orchestra recording assistant
- Kieran Lynch – orchestra recording assistant
- Melissa Mattey – orchestra recording assistant
- Tom Laune – mixing (1, 3-8, 10-12)
- Rob Burrell – mix assistant (1, 3-8, 10-12)
- Steve MacMillan – mixing (2, 9)
- Robert Hadley – mastering
- Doug Sax – mastering
- The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California) – mastering location
- PJ Heimmernman – production manager
- Jamie Kiner – production manager
- Dion Velasquez – production manager
- Astrid Herbold May – art direction, design
- Dorian Carter – photography
Singles
- "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" duet with Alvin and the Chipmunks
- "Feliz Navidad"
- "The First Noel"
Charts
Weekly charts
Notes and References
- Web site: August 2001 music news. Jesus Freak Hideout. November 1, 2012.
- Web site: Jaci Velasquez albums. AllMusic. November 1, 2012.
- Book: Alfonso, Barry. 2002. The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music. 262. Billboard Books. 0-8230-7718-7. December 4, 2008.
- Navidad, 2011, Word Records, 08068861902
- Web site: Jaci Velasquez, "Christmas" Review . John . DiBiase . Jesusfreakhideout.com . September 18, 2001 . November 1, 2012.
- Web site: Christmas – Jaci Velasquez. AllMusic. November 1, 2012.
- Web site: [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jaci velasquez|chart=all}} Christmas – Jaci Velasquez Billboard ]. November 1, 2012 .
