Christmas 2011: Mariah Christmas all over again...

Imagine a world where All I Want For Christmas Is You. JUST IMAGINE? I lived in that world between 1974 and 1994, and although I didn't know any better, the world seemed a gloomier place each December somehow. So thank god (I found you) for Mariah Carey and her obsession with the festive period. She produced obviously what is now regarded as a modern day Christmas classic in that aforementioned track, but additionally wooed the world with 2 albums packed to the brim with snowy goodness. Last year it was all hand claps (Hey Santa) and non-hip hop remixes of AIWFCIY (thank god). This year, she has some not exactly new, but new-ish festive treats that could serve as a Merry Christmas II You Special Edition on your iPod...

MARIAH GOES DUETTY:

• When Do The Bells Ring For Me? (w/ Tony Bennett): Yes, the Amy Winehouse and GaGa duets may have gotten all the attention from Tony's Duets II cd, and no this isn't particularly a festive tune, but ultimately it is very good and it sort of has that not-Christmas-but-Christmas single about it. It's a beautifully orchestrated, restrained performance that seems to sparkle with each nuanced delivery. Think Natalie Cole doing Unforgettable. The muted horns and gentle bell chimes give it an elegant festive feel that will no doubt last all year round (particularly with that gloriously stirring and dramatic finale)...
• When Christmas Comes (w/ John Legend): This gently rhythmic solo cut from Mariah's second festive opus now becomes a gently rhythmic duet with velvet voiced crooner John Legend. It doesn't deviate much from the original version (ie, it's a lovey dovey romantic and dewey eyed tune full of hope, cuddles and optimism for the Christmas season), but it does give added layers to the chorus when John and Mariah's vocals weave around each other like tinsel draped beautifully round a full, green tree. It's all very pop on a scarf, get some peppermint hot chocolate and snuggle up to the one you love, but who doesn't crave that at Christmas? Swoon...(Do check out her original version performed live last year here)
• All I Want For Christmas Is You (Super Festive w/ Justin Bieber): The extra festive version from last year that gave perhaps the best version of the song since, well, the original is now a super festive duet with none other than not-babydaddy Justin Bieber! Amaze! There's a bit of an ad-lib off between the two at the beginning, but it's soon sleigh bells away with the actual song. It's really quite difficult to screw this song up - it exudes joy almost whoever is singing it, and Justin doesn't do a bad job of keeping up with mumsy Mariah. As expected, it's a jolly good time :) And now I want to go and watch Love, Actually...

MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU EXTRA FESTIVE EDITION PROPOSED TRACK LISTING:

01 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town (intro)
02 - All I Want For Christmas Is You (Super Festive duet with Justin Bieber)
03 - Hey Santa!
04 - Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy
05 - Christmas Time is in The Air Again
06 - The First Noel/Born Is The King (interlude)
07 - When Christmas Comes (duet with John Legend)
08 - When Do The Bells Ring For Me (duet with Tony Bennett)
09 - Here Comes Santa Claus
10 - Charlie Brown Christmas
11 - Oh Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus
12 - O Holy Night
13 - One Child
14 - Auld Lang Syne
15 - All I Want For Christmas Is You (Extra Festive version)
16 - Hey Santa (Low Sunday Edit)
17 - Auld Lang Syne (Remix)