Gregory Porter – Christmas Wish (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 44:22 minutes | 964 MB | Genre: Jazz, Vocal Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Universal Music Division Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, with his customary class, elegance and sophistication, presents his new holiday album ‘Christmas Wish’ – a cool yule selection of festive favourites as well as brand new songs written by the singer himself. Backed by his long-time band, produced by repeat collaborator Troy Miller in New York and London, with orchestral contributions recorded at Abbey Road, and featuring powerhouse guest vocalist, double Grammy-winning sensation Samara Joy, Gregory Porter’s seventh studio album is a loving tribute to his favourite time of year – and to great songwriters, singers and interpreters including Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Dinah Washington. Across its dozen tracks, ‘Christmas Wish’ encompasses the saintly and the secular, the funky and the fun, the Great American Songbook and the best of Motown.
With ‘Christmas Wish’, Gregory Porter has given us a whole new soundtrack to this most wonderful time of year.
It seems almost impossible for artists who reach a certain level of success in the industry to escape the lure of the great American ‘Christmas Album’. Gregory Porter is no exception to this rule, taking on the challenge with considerable flair in Christmas Wish. Accompanied on most of the album’s 12 tracks by a jazz orchestra, including his loyal companions Chip Crawford on piano, Jahmal Nichols on double bass, Onfrej Pivec on the Hammond organ, and Emanuel Harrold on drums. Their work is enhanced by the lush string section of the Kingdom Orchestra, and gospel-inspired background vocals (see the title theme, composed by Porter himself). Porter nestles his golden voice in the mix with great technique, to produce an intimate selection of Christmas songs.
The tracks strike a comfortable balance between tradition and modernity, mixing classics (“Silent Night”, “Little Drummer Boy”), with others drawn from the American catalogue with 1950s jazz pieces (Sinatra’s “Christmas Waltz”, Nat King Cole’s “Cradle in Bethlehem”). Porter even embraces the soul music of the 60s and 70s with Marvin Gaye’s “Purple Snowflakes”, alongside Stevie Wonder’s “Somebody at Christmas”. Notably, instrumental contributions on the tracks include performances from harmonicist Grégoire Maret, and saxophonist Tivon Pennicott – along with American jazz diva Samara Joy. Joy’s cover of Frank Loesser’s theme, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”, is a standout performance from the album. The resulting collection is executed without pretension, and instead with the generosity, talent and know-how of a decidedly incomparable artist. – Stéphane Ollivier
Tracklist:
1-1. Gregory Porter – Silent Night (03:28)
1-2. Gregory Porter – Christmas Waltz (03:21)
1-3. Gregory Porter – Everything’s Not Lost (04:08)
1-4. Gregory Porter – Someday At Christmas (02:55)
1-5. Gregory Porter – Purple Snowflakes (03:45)
1-6. Gregory Porter – Little Drummer Boy (02:52)
1-7. Gregory Porter – What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? (03:56)
1-8. Gregory Porter – Christmas Wish (03:54)
1-9. Gregory Porter – Cradle in Bethlehem (04:13)
1-10. Gregory Porter – Do You Hear What I Hear? (03:42)
1-11. Gregory Porter – Christmas Time is Here (03:43)
1-12. Gregory Porter – Heart For Christmas (04:20)
