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A Mary Christmas by Mary J Blige CD Review and Autographed CD Giveaway

Guess who's releasing their first Christmas album EVER?

THE INCOMPARABLE MARY J. BLIGE READIES FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY ALBUM

Keep reading for more info about this CD and a fab giveaway



Iconic Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Mary J. Blige has teamed up with the best musical talents in the business. Blige, for Matriarch Records/Verve Records/Interscope Records has completed her first-ever holiday album titled, A Mary Christmas making it the first album collaboration between Blige and legendary producer and Chairman of The Verve Music Group, David Foster.

A Mary Christmas features Blige’s soulful interpretation of classic holiday tunes including “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song.” Blige is joined by a number of A-list guests starting with Barbra Streisand, who duets with Blige on “When You Wish Upon A Star,” along with Jessie J on “Do You Hear What I Hear.” The Clark Sisters join Blige on “The First Noel” and “Noche de Paz,” is a Spanish collaboration with Marc Anthony.

Other highlights on the album include “Little Drummer Boy,” “My Favorite Things,” “This Christmas,” “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and Tino Rossi’s “Petit Papa Noël.”


David Foster comments, “There's so many things that I find inspiring about Mary, but I guess it always comes back to the fact that she has no limits and no boundaries. She doesn't think of herself as black or white, or yellow or red, or male or female. She just thinks of herself as a singer and she's a great singer.”


A Mary Christmas arrived in stores on October 15, 2013 but thanks to Wendy's Bloggers and Verve Music Group I was among a select group of bloggers to get a first listen.


Check out the track listing:
1. Little Drummer Boy
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
3. My Favorite Things
4. This Christmas
5. The Christmas Song
6. Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer
7. When You Wish Upon A Star – Duet with Barbra Streisand
8. Winter Wonderland
9. Do You Hear What I Hear – Duet with Jessie J.
10. Petit Papa Noël
11. The First Noel – Duet with The Clark Sisters
12. Noche de Paz – Duet with Marc Anthony


My Thoughts:  When my autographed (yes AUTOGRAPHED) copy of the CD arrived I couldn't wait to play it.  Mary J. Blige is one of my favorite artists.  Halloween hadn't even arrived and here I was listening to Christmas music, but it was Mary J and not to mention Barbra Streisand, Marc Anthony and The Clark Sisters.  

It's hard to pick a favorite track because all of them are classic tracks we've grown up with, but Mary J.'s vocals are astounding.  Hard to believe this is her first Christmas album, but it's truly worth the wait.  She shines on her rendition of holiday classics such as This Christmas, The Christmas Song and Petit Papa Noël, but it was The First Noel, her duet with gospel balladeers, The Clark Sisters, that stays on replay.  OMG!!!  This track bellows deep with Mary crooning and sisters, Dorinda, Karen and Jackie sangin' their hearts out.  This song takes you to church and will have you shouting "Hallelujah."  


The biggest surprise on the CD was "When You Wish Upon a Sta,r" her duet with Barbra Streisand.  I know, I know this isn't exactly what you may envision on a Christmas album but it's Babs...Barbra Streisand AND Mary J.  There are no words that I could write to express this track.  It's just unbelievably the best collaboration ever.  Classic.  Classic. Classic.


For more info:
* * * G I V E A W A Y * * *
One lucky Three Boys and an Old Lady blog reader will win the A Mary Christmas by Mary J Blige CD. (ARV $15)  Correction:  One  lucky Three Boys and an Old Lady blog reader will win an AUTOGRAPHED Mary Christmas by Mary J Blige CD. (ARV PRICELESS)  






Disclosure: I participated in this event on behalf of Wendy's Bloggers for Verve Music Group. I received the A Mary ChristmasCD to facilitate my review.

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.

Many thanks to the sponsor for providing this prize for the giveaway. Opinions are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. The opinions expressed above are mine. Click here for the Disclosure Policy of Three Boys and an Old Lady blog. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. I received a product in exchange for this review and post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.


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