Christmas is the ninth studio album by contemporary Christian singer Jaci Velasquez. The album was released on September 18, 2001, under Word Entertainment. 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.
Contents
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."
AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars saying it is "beautifully orchestrated with touches of traditional Christmas-style jazz and contemporary pop."
Charts
The album peaked on the Billboard 200 at No. 102 and No. 6 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Christian Albums charts.
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)
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
Singles
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" duet with Alvin and the Chipmunks
"Feliz Navidad"
"The First Noel"