The Magic of Christmas is a collaborative Christmas album by American recording artist Natalie Cole and London Symphony Orchestra, released on September 21, 1999, by Elektra Records. The album is a follow-up to Snowfall on the Sahara. It reached peak positions of number 157 on the US Billboard 200 and number 84 on Billboards Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. A number of the tracks on The Magic of Christmas were first released on the 1998 album Christmas With You, which was produced exclusively for Hallmark Cards.
Critical reception
AllMusic's Heather Phares awarded the album 2.5 out of 5 stars and described the collection of songs as "traditional yet sophisticated". She also highlighted "O Tannenbaum", "The 12 Days of Christmas", and "The Christmas Song".
Track listing All tracks producer by Fred Salem.Cole, Natalie. “The Magic of Christmas” (Album Notes). Elektra Records. 1999.
Note "The Christmas Song" uses samples from a recording of "The Christmas Song", as performed by Nat King Cole.
Personnel Adapted from album booklet.
Natalie Cole – vocals London Symphony Orchestra – orchestra (strings, horns, woodwinds, percussion) Terry Trotter – grand piano Christopher Argent – organ (1–4, 7) Jim Hughart – bass Bob Krogstad – musical arrangements (1–3, 5–8, 10), orchestra conductor Robert MacGimsey – musical arrangements (4) Peter Wilhousky – musical arrangements (9) Nat King Cole – vocals (1)
Production Dick Carter – executive producer Fred Salem – producer Toby Foster – recording, mixing (5, 6, 8–10) Al Schmitt – mixing Doug Sax – mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California) Alli Truch – art direction, design David Jensen – photography Cecille Parker – stylist Tara Posey – make-up Janet Zeitoun – hair stylist
Charts Chart (1999–2000) Peak position
References
External links