It's Christmas is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Ledisi, and her first Christmas album. Released by Verve Forecast on September 23, 2008, the album features cover versions of popular Christmas songs in addition to original material.[1] Ledisi worked with George Duke, Rex Rideout, and Luther "Mano" Hanes, with whom she wrote all of the original tracks, as well as producing Ledisi's interpretations of the covered material. "Give Love on Christmas Day" was released as a radio single from the album.
Critical response to the album's contemporary Christmas theme was positive. Some music critics complimented the "fiery gospel-soul" vocals and called the album a "more personal, more instinctual record."[2]
Conception and composition
Throughout the album's development, Ledisi worked with Rex Rideout, with whom she collaborated on Lost & Found (2007) and Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire (2007). Together, they wrote one of the album's original songs, as well as producing most of the traditional tracks.[1][3] In July 2008, Ledisi announced her plans to release a Christmas album.[4] In an interview with Billboard magazine, she confirmed to be working with American trumpeter Christian Scott, American blues musician Keb' Mo', and female quartet Perri.[4]
It's Christmas was released on September 23, 2008, by Verve Forecast; becoming her second album release on a major record label.[1] On December 7, 2008, the Gospel Music Channel aired a thirty-minute Christmas program titled Ledisi Christmas. The program featured Ledisi performing selected songs from It's Christmas in addition to her single "Alright".
It's Christmas was supported by the commercial single and cover version of "Give Love on Christmas Day", which peaked at number thirteen on the US BillboardBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. An accompanying music video, directed Ron T. Young, was released on YouTube.[5] The song "This Christmas (Could Be the One)" peaked at number twelve on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while her cover version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" peaked at number thirteen on the chart.[6] In November 2009, It's Christmas was re-released as a double box album set along with her album Turn Me Loose.[7]
Reception
In The Washington Post, Geoffrey Himes wrote that "artists have a chance to make a more personal, more instinctual record. There's no better example than Ledisi's terrific new disc."[2]AllMusic editor Eric Schneider praised her rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", referring to it as a "graceful take".[1]
Commercial performance
It's Christmas debuted and peaked at number five on the US Top Holiday Albums chart during the week of October 11, 2008.[8] The album remained on the charts for a total of five weeks.[8] During the week of November 1, 2008, the album debuted on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[8] During its fifth week on the chart, the album peaked at number twenty-eight. The album spent a total of fourteen weeks on the chart.[8]
