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On that beautiful sunny mornTing, I woke up to see the good tidings on the coming of the new holiday CD. I smiled, slowly stretched a bit, warmed my muscles, stood up, closed my eyes and started to play the CD. No, I’m not going back to sleep. I will be listening for the first time in 16 years, Mariah’s sequel to Merry Christmas aptly called Merry Christmas II You. This is my standard of giving my first listen to any new Mariah CD. It deserves a good 1-1.5 hours of taking me to fantasyland and back to a real musical enchantment.
And lo! I was forewarned before this first listen. Her album, for the first time, will contain lush strings and a full orchestra, and that ultimate piano ribs inflecting every track.Mariah for one thing evolved from creating an album as collection of songs to creating an album sequenced to bring stories delivered in an unsullied treat of superb musical production. Perfectionist that she is, she made sure that each track would flow perfectly to the next track courtesy of inspiring Interludes or musical arrangement. Top that with proficient songwriting skills peppered with words totally unheard of in any song. And she just goes through them as articulate and charmingly Mariah-ish. Anyway, only Mariah can sing one word in more than twenty notes scaling her famous five octaves.
And here comes the intro via Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The production is a new introduction to a wide range of genres that a Mariah Carey album explored. This time, it’s like Mariah would take us to go to the dreamy world of festive, fun and enthusiastic Christmas experience. Again. But in a whole new level.
Then her lead single fittingly follows the queue with Oh Santa! And you will know, it’s Christmas in October already. Well, kinda late for the Philippine tradition though as we start our Christmas in September. LOL. We can see that this track is bound to be a new future Christmas radio staple. Then, she goes earnest with crooning classic Christmas standards in O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy. I was cheering for this track when it shifted from one song to another and hear the seamless weave. It just snugly fits in perfectly. And this Christmas song mashups will also appear on her duet with mom Patricia on Oh Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah – a rare musical treat as mom and daughter divinely exchanged vocal workouts that would soon soar to the heavens. Must be their way of thanking God for the gift of song genetically imprinted in them.
The way the album was sequenced takes you to an exciting journey of fun and festive moments to old soul groove (mood transition is stirringly mastered via The First Noel/Born is the King (Interlude) bouncing its way to introduce the groovy old soul vibe When Christmas Comes) then back to delight your ears with cheerful songs (Here Comes Santa Claus, Charlie Brown Christmas) culminating to bring back glory to God (OCAYF/Hallelujah, Oh Holy Night, One Child). Then a surprise rearranged orchestra introduction to make the classic All I Want For Christmas Is You extra festive. The album ended with a blast with Auld Lang Syne’s relaxing piano introduction ending in a disco jam. She sang this once on her Angels Advocate’s first stop on MSG joking about not memorizing the lyrics and pointed “does anybody really know the words?”
And I opened my eyes and felt Mariah’s soft kiss on my cheek.
Just few hours earlier, Mariah confirmed her pregnancy due in springtime. Tis the season to be happy.
Listen to the new songs: One Child, When Christmas Comes, Christmas Time Is In The Air Again
Almost in the verge of tears as I listen to each of the tracks from Mariah's Merry Christmas II You CD. The nostalgia in the chosen tracks to decorate this festive album is giving me goosebumps and makes my eyes swell. I miss Christmas and even before Halloween begins, Christmas is in the air. Now. Mariah also infuses the yearning for a festive, joyful and meaningful Christmas as she co-wrote new tracks: the festive Oh Santa!, the-giving-back-to-God-track One Child, the old-soul When Christmas Comes and the pensive Christmas Time Is In The Air Again.
Mariah is genius! Nobody comes close.
The singer builds anticipation for "Merry Christmas II You," due Nov. 2, with first single "Oh Santa!," which debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's new Holiday Digital Songs chart (one position above her original version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You"). The follow-up album to 1994's "Merry Christmas" includes a duet with Carey's mother, Patricia. Source: Billboard
*USA
Merry Christmas II You Collector's Box Set will now be released two weeks later on Tuesday, November 16. It is available at Amazon for $53.99. The limited Autographed Edition (only 500 available) can be purchased at ShopMariah for $99.99.
The following are the different versions of Merry Christmas II You to be released in the USA:
| • Standard Edition - CD, $11.88 • Deluxe Edition - CD/DVD exclusive at HSN, $14.95 • Collector's Box Set - Regular, $53.99 • Collector's Box Set - Limited Autographed Edition, $99.99 • iTunes Edition - Digital, with bonus "Oh Santa!" Remix (pre-order only), and digital booklet, $9.99 • Walmart Exclusive Edition - includes a Die Cut Ornament and 5 Holiday Cards, $14.88 • Sam's Club Exclusive Edition - Details N/A |
**Japan - the Japanese edition copy will include a bonus track: Oh Santa (Jump Smoker's Remix)
*Source: *MariahDaily, **MariahConnection
Just fresh from a day old release of her newest holiday hit, Oh Santa, Mariah once again showed how new Christmas songs must be constructed. And she succeeded once again as Oh Santa stormed the iTunes Holiday Chart at #1, while her 16 year old new Christmas classic, All I Want For Christmas Is You, clinged at #2. Another enchanting Mariah remake O Holy Night also made the list at #55.iTunes Store: Top 100 Holiday and Christmas Songs
| 1. Oh Santa! - Mariah Carey |
| 2. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey 55. O Holy Night - Mariah Carey |
MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU
1. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Intro) 00:23
–Written by J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie
–Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman
–Orchestra arranged and orchestrated by Marc Shaiman and Brad Dechter
–Orchestra recorded and mixed by John Richards
–Additional engineering by Brett "Snacky" Pierce
–Assistant Recording Engineer: Steve Genewick
–Orchestra Conductor: Shari Sutcliffe
–Concertmaster: Ralph Morrison
2. Oh Santa! 03:31
–Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox
–Produced by Mariah Carey for Maroon Entertainment, Jermaine Dupri for So So Def Productions, Inc. and Bryan-Michael Cox for Blackbaby, Entertainment, Inc.
–Recorded by Brian Garten and John Horesco IV at Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA and Guardian Angel Studios, Bel Air, CA
–Mixed by Phil Tan at Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Additional and Assistant Engineering: Damien Lewis
–Bass: Randy Jackson
3. O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley 03:32
–O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Written by Phillips Brooks, Lewis H. Redner
–Little Drummer Boy - Written by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, Harry Simeone
–Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright and Randy Jackson
–New Arrangement by Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and James "Big Jim" Wright
–Orchestral sessions produced and arranged by Marc Shaiman
–Orchestra recorded and pre-mixed by John Richards
–Recorded by Brian Garten
–Additional engineering by Keith Gretlein, Kevin Guarnieri, Brett "Snacky" Pierce and Scott Riesett
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Drums: Teddy Glendon Campbell
–Bass: Reggie Hamilton
–Guitar: Michael Thompson & Doc Powell
–Keyboards: Randy Waldman & Big Jim Wright Bass
–Percussion: Luis Conte
–Orchestra Conductor: Shari Sutcliffe
–Background Vocals: Maryann Tatum, Melonie Daniels, Sharlotte Gibson, Sherry McGhee
4. Christmas Time is in the Air Again 03:02
–Written by Mariah Carey, Marc Shaiman
–Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman
–Orchestrated and arranged by Marc Shaiman
–Orchestra recorded and pre-mixed by John Richards
–Recorded by Brian Garten
–Additional engineering by Brett "Snacky" Pierce and Scott Riesett
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Drums: Victor Indrizzo
–Upright Bass: Mike Valerio
–Guitar: George Doering
–Piano: Marc Shaiman
–Percussion: Luis Conte
–Orchestra Conductor: Shari Sutcliffe
5. The First Noel / Born is the King Interlude 04:33
–The First Noel - Written by Traditional
–Born Is The King Interlude - Written by Traditional
–Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright and Randy Jackson
–New arrangement by Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and James "Big Jim" Wright
–Orchestral sessions produced and arranged by Marc Shaiman
–Orchestra recorded and pre-mixed by John Richards
–Recorded by Brian Garten, Keith Gretlein and Kevin Guarnieri
–Additional engineering by Brett "Snacky" Pierce and Scott Riesett
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Keyboards: Big Jim Wright
–Drums: Jerohn Garnett
–Bass: Randy Jackson
–Guitar: Doc Powell
–Orchestra Conductor: Shari Sutcliffe
–Background Vocals: Mariah Carey, Cindy Mizelle, Sharlotte Gibson
6. When Christmas Comes 04:46
–Written by Mariah Carey, James Poyser
–Produced by Mariah Carey and James Poyser
–Recorded by Brian Garten and Kevin Guarnieri at Guardian Angel Studios, Bel Air, CA; Westlake Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Henson Studios, Los Angeles, CA and Germano Studios, New York, NY
–Additional engineering by Keith Gretlein
–Assistant Recording Engineers: George "Tre" Ammatuna, Tucker Robinson, Alex Guarpera and Stephen Spencer
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Drums: Nisan Stewart
–Bass: Alex Evans
–Guitar: John "Jubu" Smith
–Keyboards: James Poyser
–Trumpet: Rick Baptist, Greg Adams
–Saxophone: Dan Higgins
–Flute: Dan Higgins
–Trombone: Nick Lane
–Background Vocals: Mariah Carey, Melonie Daniels, Sharlotte Gibson, Nicki Richards
7. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)/Housetop Celebration 03:28
–Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) - Written by Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
–Housetop Celebration - Written by Benjamin Hanby
–Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox
–New arrangement by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox
–Recorded by John Horesco, Sam Thomas and Kevin Guarnieri
–Vocals recorded by Brian Garten
–Additional engineering by Keith Gretlein and Kevin Guarnieri
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Drums: Jermaine Dupri
–Bass: Randy Jackson
–Keyboard/Percussion:: Bryan-Michael Cox, Melonie Daniels, Cri$tyle, Nicki Richards
8. Charlie Brown Christmas 02:49
–Written by Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson
–Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright and Randy Jackson
–New arrangement by Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and James "Big Jim" Wright
–Recorded by Brian Garten
–Assistant Recording Engineers: Marcus Johnson, Peter Mack and Martin Cooke
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Drums: Teddy Glendon Campbell
–Bass: Reggie Hamilton
–Guitar: Michael Thompson & Doc Powell
–Keyboards: Randy Waldman & Big Jim Wright
–Percussion: Luis Conte
9. O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus feat. Patricia Carey 03:38
–O Come All Ye Faithful - Written by Traditional
–Hallelujah Chorus - Written by G F Handel, George Frideric Handel
–Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright and Randy Jackson
–New arrangement by Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and James "Big Jim" Wright
–Orchestral sessions produced and arranged by Marc Shaiman
–Orchestra recorded and pre-mixed by John Richards
–Recorded by Brian Garten
–Additional engineering by Keith Gretlein, –Brett "Snacky" Pierce, Scott Riesett and Kevin Guarnieri
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
10. O Holy Night - Live from WPC in South Central Los Angeles 05:00
–Written by Traditional
–Original version produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey
–Vocals and music recorded and mixed by Dana Jon Chappelle
–Choir: Voices of Judah/Greater Bethany/City of Refuge
–Background Vocals: Maryann Tatum, Melonie Daniels
11. One Child 04:26
–Written by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman
–Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman
–Arranged by Marc Shaiman
–Orchestra recorded and pre-mixed by John Richards
–Recorded by Brian Garten
–Additional engineering by Brett "Snacky" Pierce, Scott Riesett and Keith Gretlein
–Children's Chorus recorded by Martin Cooke
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Drums: Steve Schaeffer
–Orchestra Conductor: Shari Sutcliffe
–Background Vocals: Mariah Carey, Brian Garten, Melonie Daniels, Sherry McGhee, Nicki Richards
12. All I Want for Christmas is You - Extra Festive 04:02
–Written by Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff
–Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright and Randy Jackson
–Recorded by Brian Garten
–Additional engineering by Brett "Snacky" Pierce, Kevin Guarnieri and Keith Gretlein
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Drums: Jerohn Garnett
–Bass: Lloyd "Sonny" Thompson
–Guitar: Doc Powell
–Keyboards: "Big Jim" Wright
–Background Vocals: Sherry McGhee, Melonie Daniels, Sharlotte Gibson, Angie Fisher
13. Auld Lang Syne - The New Year's Anthem 03:48
–Written by Robert Burns
–Produced by Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and Johnny "Sev" Severin (for RedOne Productions)
–Recorded by Johnny "Sev" Severin, Keith Gretlein and Brian Garten
–Mixed by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club, Atlanta, GA
–Assistant Mixer: Damien Lewis
–Piano: "Big Jim" Wright
–Background Vocals: Melonie Daniels, Sherry McGhee, Onitsha Shaw
Mariah follows up with her 16-year old holiday tune "All I Want For Christmas (Is You)" with another festive tune in "Oh Santa!" from her upcoming 2nd holiday CD "Merry Christmas II You." "Oh Santa" opens in a jingly cheers with Mariah's trademark coos splattered all over the 3:21 minute track. She's saving her whistles towards the end to remind people she's still got it. Most of the vocals she showcased are reminiscent of standard holiday tunes via the midrange chest voice (which would make it more doable for live performances). Mariah has always been tacky with her lyrical content and she nailed it once again to specifically glaze her song for the purpose it was written: pure pop bliss. So, are we saying goodbye to MiMi and say hello to the pop queen Mariah Carey we have known before?Her new CD drops in stores on November 2. It's also available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Nobles. Amazon has lowered the price of the Merry Christmas II You Collector's Box Set to $47.99 (was $59.98); and a much lower price at Barnes & Noble at $35.90 (was $43.53).
NOTE: Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble have updated their listing for the Merry Christmas II You Collector's Box Set with a new retail price of $53.99.
NOTE: Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble have updated their listing for the Merry Christmas II You Collector's Box Set with a new retail price of $53.99.
Oh Santa will impact US Radio on October 11th and iTunes on October 12th.
Lyrics:
OH SANTASanta's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine
Oh Santa
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine
Oh Santa
Santa
If you get this letter
Won't you help me out
I know you're kinda busy with your elves right now
And I don't know how
You do the things you do while I sleep on Christmas eve
But it's amazing
And I bet that you could bring me back my baby
Because every time I see Christmas lights
I feel this burn inside
And I just can't take it
I saw them shopping last week
And his new girl was so bleak
And then I swore to myself
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas night
Oh oh oh
Santa's gonna come and make you mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make you mine, oh oh oh
Santa's gonna come and make you mine this Christmas night
Oh Santa
I heard that it's really gonna snow this year
So I hope Rudolph and them all the 8 reindeer
Get you safely here
So you can scoop him up
And scoop him right down my chimney
I've been really, really, really good this year
So put on that red suit and make him appear
Make this Christmas cheer
Just ain't the same without my baby
Come on oh Kris Kringle send me help
They say it's unrealistic
But I believe in you Saint Nick
So grant this wish for me right quick
Santa won't you come and make him mine this Christmas night
Oh oh oh
Santa's gonna come and make you mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make you mine, oh oh oh
Santa's gonna come and make you mine this Christmas night
Oh Santa!
Oh Santa Claus
If you get this letter
Please don't make me wait
Cause all December I'll be counting down the days
So hop on your sleigh
I promise that I won't forget the milk and cookies
The trees all sparkly and gold
But inside I feel so cold
So soon as you leave the North Pole
Santa won't you come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make you mine oh oh oh
oh oh oh this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make you mine oh oh oh
Santa's gonna come and make you mine, mine
Mariah Carey Philippines Headline
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