If you want some old fashioned traditional Christmas carols this is the album you should look for. While the list for all time Christmas classics by legends may seem endless, Johnny Mathis’ seven Christmas albums to date still remains as one of the best of all from Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and not forgetting Jim Reeves. Here is his eighth offering and by the sound of it, the 78 year old is still making his voice felt with the younger generation.

Take a trip down memory lane as you revisit old classics with Mathis. It’s his distinctive voice that commands a lot of respect when he is singing with the younger generation on the album.

The album has 12 songs and among them a few solos and a few duets. Highlights of the duets include a melancholy medley of I’ll Be Home for Christmas and White Christmas featuring Vince Gill and Amy Grant, a fine version of Do You Hear What I Hear with Susan Boyle, and a bright, country-flavored Home for the Holidays with The Jordanaires.

While he should’ve recorded the title track himself as a solo effort, Mathis takes the help of pianist Jim Brickman. Other favorites that could be on your list would be The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) with Billy Joel, and the slow paced Mary’s Boy Child once again a duet this time with Latino singer Gloria Estefan. Lastly Merry Christmas, Darling is reminiscent of The Carpenters version.

The musical arrangements are classy, pleasing to the ear and the choice of songs gives a variety of Christmas classics a modern touch. This is an album for the young and old alike, anyone who enjoys holiday music.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira