Album Review: Jennifer Nettles’ ‘To Celebrate Christmas’

Having spent a good bit of her musical formative years in Atlanta, it stands to reason that Jennifer Nettles draws from the Blues when it comes to her background. Those influences come to the forefront of the singer’s first solo Yuletide album that will definitely please her legion of fans that have been with her since Sugarland.

Each of the tracks here have a decidedly soulful lean, particularly most of the standards that are represented. “Go Tell It On The Mountain” gets a rocking and energetic take that the singer handles very well, and she hits the right R&B groove on her version of “The Little Drummer Boy,” along with some assistance from Idina Menzel. Nettles also tinkers with the arrangement of “O Holy Night.” As to where most performers slow down the song to give showcase to their vocals, Jennifer goes the other way – adding a little bit of tempo to the song. It works well, and also stands as a strong spotlight for her singing ability.

Not each of the classics has that same style though. Nettles almost sounds like a folk singer on the simple, yet winning, version of “Do You Hear What I Hear,” gives a sultry sound to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” with Andra Day (as ‘sultry’ as the song can get!), and gives a soft-spoken version of “The First Noel.”

Nettles tips the covers hat to Kenny Loggins with a version of “Celebrate Me Home” that echoes the classic Pop sound from whence it came, and also is the beneficiary of another musical icon with Dolly Parton’s original “Circle Of Love,” a simple and heartfelt song about the birth of Jesus Christ. But, perhaps the highlight of this set overall is her moving version of Irving Berlin’s “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” which gives all something to think about during the holiday season – and outside of it, as well. There are a lot of Christmas albums on the market this year, and each have their strengths, but none are a better representation of the musical talent of the artist than this one!