This Christmas Aretha
Aretha Franklin · 2008
51 min · 11 tracks · funk
A soulful blend of gospel and R&B, this album infuses classic Christmas songs with Aretha's powerful vocal charisma.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Christmas Start here — Franklin's rendition of 'This Christmas' stands out for its joyful energy and rich vocal embellishments, transforming the familiar tune into a soulful celebration of the season.
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Silent Night — In 'Silent Night', Franklin delivers a serene and reverent performance that highlights her ability to convey deep emotion through simplicity, making it a touching moment on the album.
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Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without the One You Love) — This track captures longing during the holidays with its heartfelt lyrics and Franklin’s soulful interpretation, blending nostalgia with warmth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Aretha's powerful vocals and unique arrangements give this holiday album a distinctive flair, though it remains within familiar territory.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases a distinct arrangement, often incorporating elements of gospel and funk that elevate the classic melodies.
- Several tracks include call-and-response vocal patterns, emphasizing Aretha's gospel roots and engaging the listener in a communal experience.
- 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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7/10
- 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, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- contemplative holiday reflections
- warm, uplifting atmosphere
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Aretha's enduring talent in holiday music after a long hiatus.
- Themes
- soulful holiday celebration· nostalgic longing· gospel-infused joy
- Career context
- Released in 2008, This Christmas Aretha marked Aretha Franklin's return to the holiday music genre after a long hiatus from recording. Following her earlier success in the 1960s and 1970s, this album showcases her enduring talent as she reinterprets beloved Christmas classics, reinforcing her legacy in both pop and gospel music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gladys Knight· Etta James· Nina Simone
Tracklist
- 1 Angels We Have Heard on High 5:25
- 2 This Christmas Start here 5:22
- 3 My Grown-Up Christmas List 5:14
- 4 The Lord Will Make a Way 5:43
- 5 Silent Night 5:06
- 6 Ave Maria 4:56
- 7 Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without the One You Love) 3:52
- 8 14 Angels 2:08
- 9 One Night With the King 6:08
- 10 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 5:24
- 11 'Twas the Night Before Christmas 1:51
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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