The Magic of Christmas (Natalie Cole album) explained

The Magic of Christmas
Type:	studio
Artist:	Natalie Cole and London Symphony Orchestra
Cover:	Natale Cole Christmas.jpg
Border:	yes
Recorded:	1998–99^[1]
Studio:	Abbey Road Studios (London, UK).
Label:	Elektra
Producer:	Fred Salem

The Magic of Christmas is a collaborative Christmas album by American recording artist Natalie Cole and London Symphony Orchestra, released on September 21, 1999, by Elektra Records.^[2] The album is a follow-up to Snowfall on the Sahara. It reached peak positions of number 157 on the US Billboard 200 and number 84 on Billboards Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.^[3] A number of the tracks on The Magic of Christmas were first released on the 1998 album Christmas With You, which was produced exclusively for Hallmark Cards.

Critical reception

AllMusic's Heather Phares awarded the album 2.5 out of 5 stars and described the collection of songs as "traditional yet sophisticated". She also highlighted "O Tannenbaum", "The 12 Days of Christmas", and "The Christmas Song".

Track listing

All tracks producer by Fred Salem.^[4]

Note

• "The Christmas Song" uses samples from a recording of "The Christmas Song", as performed by Nat King Cole.^[5]

Personnel

Adapted from album booklet.^{[2] [4]}

• Natalie Cole – vocals
• London Symphony Orchestra – orchestra (strings, horns, woodwinds, percussion)
• Terry Trotter – grand piano
• Christopher Argent – organ (1–4, 7)
• Bob Krogstad – musical arrangements (1–3, 5–8, 10), orchestra conductor
• Robert MacGimsey – musical arrangements (4)
• Peter Wilhousky – musical arrangements (9)
• Nat King Cole – vocals (1)

Production

• Fred Salem – producer
• Dick Carter – executive producer
• Toby Foster – recording, engineer, mixing
• Al Schmitt – mixing
• Doug Sax – mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California)
• Alli Truch – art direction, design
• David Jensen – photography
• Cecille Parker – stylist
• Tara Posey – make-up
• Janet Zeitoun – hair stylist

Notes and References

1. Cole, Natalie. “Christmas With You” (Album Notes). Hallmark. 1998.
2. Web site: The Magic of Christmas. AllMusic. January 2, 2016.
3. Web site: The Magic of Christmas: Awards. AllMusic. January 2, 2016.
4. Cole, Natalie. “The Magic of Christmas” (Album Notes). Elektra Records. 1999.
5. News: Nat ‘King’ Cole’s Holiday Track Returns to Billboard Hot 100. U Discover Music. 2018-12-06.