Released 32 years ago this October
Holly & Ivy
Natalie Cole · 1994
46 min · 12 tracks · funk
A warm blend of classic holiday melodies infused with Natalie Cole's soulful and rich vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Jingle Bells Start here — accessible entry with immediate holiday hook
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Joy to the World — This track showcases Cole's vocal prowess and unique interpretation of a familiar hymn, adding a vibrant energy that makes it stand out.
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Christmas Medley: Jingle Bell Rock / Winter Wonderland / Little Drummer Boy / I'll Be Home for Christmas — The medley perfectly encapsulates the joyful spirit of the holidays, blending multiple classics into a seamless celebration of seasonal cheer.
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No More Blue Christmas — With its poignant lyrics and soulful melody, this original composition offers a fresh emotional depth compared to more traditional tracks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and original holiday music with soulful vocals, but lacks standout compositions.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate jazzy rhythms and soulful embellishments, creating a warm, festive atmosphere throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady festive atmosphere throughout
- soulful renditions of classics
- for holiday gatherings
- warm moments by the fire
Maybe skip if you
- prefer contemporary styles
- seek high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid Christmas album that showcases her vocal style but isn't a primary entry point.
- Career context
- By the time 'Holly & Ivy' was released in 1994, Natalie Cole was a well-established artist, known for her crossover success with albums like 'Unforgettable... with Love'. This Christmas album marked her first foray into holiday music, aiming to capture both nostalgia and modern interpretations of beloved carols.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aretha Franklin· Chaka Khan· Patti LaBelle
Tracklist
- 1 Jingle Bells Start here 3:34
- 2 Caroling, Caroling 3:08
- 3 The First Noel 4:23
- 4 No More Blue Christmas 4:21
- 5 Christmas Medley: Jingle Bell Rock / Winter Wonderland / Little Drummer Boy / I'll Be Home for Christmas 6:08
- 6 Merry Christmas Baby 3:23
- 7 Joy to the World 2:49
- 8 The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot 3:05
- 9 A Song for Christmas 3:24
- 10 Silent Night 5:02
- 11 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) 3:39
- 12 The Holly & The Ivy 3:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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