Diana Ross Looks Forward To ‘Wonderful Christmas Time’ On Vinyl Reissue

Diana Ross has her 1994 holiday collection Wonderful Christmas Time reissued on vinyl from today (27) by Ross Records/UMe. The 20-track collection is now available for the first time in two physical configurations: a standard black vinyl 2LP and limited edition 2LP translucent red vinyl. The album is also available on CD and all major digital platforms.

Wonderful Christmas Time was personally curated by Ms. Ross, who served as executive producer on the project. It was named after the iconic singer’s version of Paul McCartney’s festive perennial of 1979. It also features her renditions of such Christmas classics as ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘White Christmas’ and her longtime friend and former Motown labelmate Stevie Wonder’s ‘Overjoyed.’ That ballad was first featured on his 1985 album In Square Circle.

On a holiday album including that McCartney cover, it’s only appropriate that the superstar also remakes John Lennon’s 1971 festive offering ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over), with Yoko Ono, the Plastic Ono Band and the Harlem Community Choir. On five tracks, Ms. Ross is accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, for the recordings ‘Sleigh Ride/Jingle Bells,’ ‘O Little Town Of Bethlehem,’ ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain,’ ‘The First Noël’ and ‘I Heard The Bells.’

Diana Ross’ history of festive recordings goes back to 1965, when the Supremes released their only holiday LP, Merry Christmas. The Motown set reached No. 6 on Billboard’s Holiday Album chart and produced two top ten hits on the equivalent singles listing, ‘Children’s Christmas Song’ and ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Me.’

In the liner notes for Wonderful Christmas Time, Ms. Ross writes: “There are so many things I love about the holiday season. Decorating the tree with the family, the lights, the mistletoe, having family and friends and lots of kids around with the sound of their laughter and the feeling of joy and fun…it’s a happy, happy time.”

Wonderful Christmas Time is now on release. Scroll down for the tracklisting. The black vinyl 2LP and limited edition 2LP translucent red vinyl editions can be bought here.

WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME Track Listing – 2LP & Digital

LP1 (Side A)
1. Wonderful Christmastime
2. Sleigh Ride / Jingle Bells
3. Winter Wonderland
4. It’s Christmas Time
5. White Christmas
6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

LP 1 (Side B)
1. The Christmas Song
2. Overjoyed
3. Someday At Christmas
4. What The World Needs Now
5. Amazing Grace

LP 2 (Side C)
1. His Eye Is On The Sparrow
2. Silent Night
3. O Holy Night
4. O Little Town Of Bethlehem

LP 2 (Side D)
1. Ave Maria
2. Go Tell It On The Mountain
3. The First Noël
4. I Heard The Bells
5. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Format: UK English