12 Songs of Christmas is a holiday album by American singer Etta James, released in October 1998 through the record label Private Music. The album, produced by John Snyder, features standards arranged mostly by pianist Cedar Walton and solos by Walton, George Bohanon on trombone and Red Holloway on tenor saxophone. Critical reception of the album was positive overall. Following its release, 12 Songs reached a peak position of number five on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart.

Artist: Etta James
Title Of Album: 12 Songs of Christmas
Year Of Release: 1998
Label: Private Music
Genre: Blues, Jazz, RnB, Holiday, Christmas Jazz
Quality: MP3
Bitrate: 320kbps
Type: CD
Total Time: 1:03:26
Total Size: 144 mb

1 Winter Wonderland Bernard, Smith 4:26

2 Jingle Bells Pierpont, Pierpont 5:26

3 This Time of Year Hollis, Owens 5:47

4 Merry Christmas, Baby Baxter, Moore 6:10

5 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Blane, Martin 4:45

6 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Coots, Gillespie 6:22

7 White Christmas Berlin 5:52

8 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) Torme, Wells 4:23

9 The Little Drummer Boy (Carol of the Drum) [Carol of the Drum] Davis, Onorati, Simeone 4:59

10 Silent Night Gruber, Mohr, Traditional 4:49

11 Joy to the World Handel, Mason, Watts 5:30

12 O Holy Night Adam, Dwight 4:50

Adolphe Adam         Composer

Robi Banerji         Assistant Engineer

Lou Baxter         Composer

George Bohannon     Trombone

Ronnie Buttacavoli     Flugelhorn, Trumpet

Rudy Calvo         Make-Up

John Clayton         Bass

Lupe DeLeon         Executive Producer

Michael O. Drexler     Digital Editing, Engineer

John Sullivan Dwight     Composer

Franz Gruber         Composer

George Frederick Handel Composer

Billy Higgins         Drums

Red Holloway         Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)

Etta James         Arranger, Vocals

Sametto James         Bass (Electric)

Lowell Mason         Composer

Sonny Mediana         Art Direction, Photography

Joseph Mohr         Composer

Johnny Moore         Composer

Johnny Moore         Composer

John Nelson         Assistant Engineer

Jay Newland         Engineer

James Pierpont         Composer

Josh Sklair         Arranger, Guitar

John Snyder         Producer

Cedar Walton         Arranger, Piano

Isaac Watts         Composer

It's a little surprising to realize that after decades of recording, Etta James finally released her first holiday album, 12 Songs of Christmas, at the late date of 1998. Thankfully, she decided to make the record something of a special occasion. Working with arrangers Etta and Cedar Walton, producer John Snyder and a terrific lineup of musicians -- including Red Holloway, John Clayton, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Josh Sklair and her son, Sametto -- James has created a terrific Christmas record, one that is firmly in her style yet contains surprises. First of all, she sings "O Holy Night" in both English and French. She also reworks "Silent Night" into a plaintive, bluesy plea. Each song on the album doesn't sound like a traditional carol, even if they're very familiar -- it all sounds like James, and it all sounds good. James fans may not feel like they need a Christmas album from her, but after hearing 12 Songs of Christmas, they'll be quite pleased indeed.