A Special Christmas

1997 studio album / Christmas album by SWV
A Special Christmas
Studio album / Christmas album by
SWV
ReleasedNovember 18, 1997 (1997-11-18)
GenreChristmas
Length42:20
LabelRCA
Producer
  • Michael J. Powell
  • Rex Rideout
  • Phil Temple
SWV chronology
Release Some Tension
(1997) 		A Special Christmas
(1997) 		Greatest Hits (RCA)
(1999)

A Special Christmas is the fourth studio album and first Christmas album released by American female R&B trio SWV that was released in the United States on November 18, 1997, by RCA Records. The album follows the release of their third album Release Some Tension (1997) which was released four months earlier. It is a holiday album featuring cover versions. A Special Christmas would be the penultimate album the trio recorded together before they disbanded in 1998. Coko, the group's lead singer, released her first solo album in 1999.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyC−[2]

Jose F. Promis, writing for Allmusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine write that "the endearing, sleek, soulful set finds the Sisters With Voices covering a sweet selection of holiday standards, and it differs from their previous albums because all three gals handle lead vocals [...] This album works because they treat the standards with respect and reverence, while still managing to put the SWV stamp on the recordings, and the sole new track is a highlight, instead of a bore, which many contemporary Christmas songs tend to be. A sweet, endearing, soulful set"[1]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"  0:41
2."The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)"
Michael J. Powell4:27
3."This Christmas"
Powell3:56
4."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"Powell4:28
5."Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without the One You Love)"Gamble and HuffPowell3:15
6."Give Love on Christmas Day"Powell3:49
7."White Christmas"Irving BerlinPowell3:33
8."Silent Night"Powell5:00
9."Silver Bells"
  • Phil Temple
  • Rex Rideout
5:34
10."O Holy Night"Powell3:30
11."My Favorite Things"Rodgers and HammersteinPowell4:07

Charts

Chart (1997) Peak
position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[3] 85

References

  1. ^ a b Promis, Jose F.. A Special Christmas review at AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  2. ^ "A Special Christmas Review". Entertainment Weekly. December 5, 1997. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  3. ^ "SWV Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
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