Mary J Blige: “A Mary Christmas” Review & AUTOGRAPHED CD Giveaway

It may be 85 degrees in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, but the holiday spirit is in full swing at our home thanks to “A Mary Christmas,” Mary J. Blige’s new holiday album.

As I type this post, I am feeling warm and fuzzy as it plays in the background. I hear my sweet baby girl, Jacquelyn (aka “Jax”), humming and clapping while her daddy gives her a bath. She loves music and “A Mary Christmas” doesn’t disappoint.

Blige’s voice handles the classics beautifully, richly and soulfully as she breathes modern freshness into familiar favorites. Her take on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer heightens the childish stand-by with jazzy flair. Fun and catchy, Jax bopped all around to this ditty and asked for more when it ended.

My husband, a rock-and-roll musician and Christmas-music cynic, loved The Little Drummer Boy and had me repeat it several times every time the CD played. Blige made a believer out of him!

My two favorite tracks on the CD aren’t songs I consider to be Christmas classics, but Blige’s smooth renditions bring a glowing warmth to each, making them a perfect fit for the season. My Favorite Things from the “Sound of Music” highlights Blige’s range and, dare I say, gives Julie Andrews a run for her money. When you Wish Upon A Star, a duet with the magnificent Barbra Streisand, lends a feeling of wistful nostalgia – truly inspiring and timeless.

All the tracks brilliantly showcase Blige’s vocal talents and bring the cheer of the season front and center.

Other tracks include:

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
This Christmas
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
Mary Did You Know
Do You Hear What I Hear, duet with Jessie J
Petit Papa Noel
The First Noel, duet with The Clark Sisters
Noche De Paz (Silent Night), duet with Marc Anthony.

I have many fond memories from my teens and early twenties grooving to Mary J. Blige, so I jumped (and maybe squealed) when offered the chance to review “A Mary Christmas.”

Now, as a mother, making memories with good music is more important to me than ever. And there’s no better time of year to create such memories than the holiday season. I hope my daughter will look back fondly at these times when Mary J. Blige crooned the soundtrack to her childhood Christmases.

“A Mary Christmas” is available at major retailers across the country. I suggest picking up a copy to start making memories today!

Shop “A Mary Christmas” on www.maryjblige.com

Check out the following links for more Mary J. Blige information:

• Verve Facebook: www.facebook.com/vervemusic
• Verve Music Group: www.vervemusicgroup.com
• Twitter Mary J. Blige at www.twitter.com/maryjblige

*****GIVEAWAY: FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF “A MARY CHRISTMAS*****

See that? Autographed by Mary J. Blige, herself! You can win one too. See below for details.

One lucky winner will receive a FREE copy of a “Mary Christmas” personally autographed by Mary J. Blige. Click here to enter.

One winner per household, email address or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you are ineligible to win again. Winners must have a U.S.-based address to receive their prize.

I participated in this event on behalf of Wendy’s Bloggers for Verve Music Group. I received the “A Mary Christmas” CD to facilitate my review.