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All too often, reviewers will apply the word "legend" to describe a particular performer. The term is overused and has lost resonance. That being said, I unabashedly call this superb performer LEGEND. Ladies and gentlemen, Dionne Warwick presents her first holiday album in a career that has spanned over four decades. She is a one-of-a-kind, and her voice is just as vibrant as ever! For Warwick, singing is as natural as breathing, and she performs with a comfortable class. With her magnificent phrasing, she makes every number a Warwick original.

Simply put, My Favorite Time of the Year is a wonderful album. Although many tracks reflect full orchestration, Warwick manages to maintain an intimate feel. You get the sense that she really does love this time of year and that she genuinely wants to share that personal passion with her listeners. The CD has 13 tracks, and the offerings are largely well-known holiday favorites. Most cuts reflect upbeat, professionally polished pop, although a few stray down the path of gospel or jazz.

Warwick receives superb support from some guest artists on this disc. First, I am a big fan of sax star Dave Koz, and he supplies jazzy saxophone flair on three tracks. In addition, gospel great BeBe Winans wrote "I Believe In Christmas" specifically for this album, and he joins Warwick in a duet on the number. The song has heartwarming lyrics and a memorable tune; it's the sort of song that could readily become next year's holiday standard. Last, but far from least, Gladys Knight sings with Warwick on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"; you can just tell that the women are having a terrific time together.

My favorite track on My Favorite Time of the Year? That's easy. Dionne Warwick blows me away with her touching, gospel treatment of "Silent Night," singing the number with just a gorgeous piano (Tim Heintz) backdrop. The album is consistently first-class throughout, but this track grabbed me like no other. I also especially enjoyed, too, the numbers with Dave Koz; his saxophone excitement really made those songs jump. In particular, "Joy To The World" is a clap-your-hands-and-shout-for-joy treasure.

Dionne Warwick fans should thank their lucky stars this holiday season! Those few misguided individuals who are not yet Warwick fans should consider converting. My Favorite Time of the Year is the complete package.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Produced by Tena Rix Clark

Gladys Knight: Duet with Dionne Warwick on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

BeBe Winans: Duet with Dionne Warwick on "I Believe In Christmas"; also co-wrote that number with Tom Hemby Dave Koz: Saxophone on "Joy To The World," "Winter Wonderland," and "White Christmas"

Tim Heintz: Piano, Keyboard
Ricky Lawson: Drums
Tim Pierce: Guitar
John Pena: Bass
Paulinho Da Costa: Percussion
Background Vocals: Alex Brown, Bridgette Bryant-Blades, Dee Harvey
Vocal Arrangements for "Joy to the World," "My Favorite Things": Carmen Twillie
All other vocal arrangements by: Carmen Twillie & Tena Clark Music & String Arranger: Tim Heintz
String Orchestration & Conducting: Joseph Alfuso Recorded by: Gabriel Moffat

A legendary artist, a timeless voice, songs for a joyous celebration: my favorite time of the year, Dionne Warwick's first-ever holiday CD, spotlights one of the world's most treasured vocal stylists on her favorite Christmas selections, both traditional and new. All of the musical colors glow as Dionne Warwick, a truly extraordinary artist, presents a radiant suite of songs to decorate a magical season of the heart for this holiday and all of your Christmases to come.

From the promotional materials:

It takes a very special kind of recording artist to bring something new to time-honored holiday classics, songs that have been interpreted and reinterpreted by countless others. But for those who have followed her career through four glorious decades of recording, it comes as no surprise that the legendary Dionne Warwick is among the select group of entertainers who brings musical magic to everything she sings--and the songs of celebration, love, joy and faith associated with the Christmas season are no exception.

As always, Dionne brings her special blend of heartfelt, soulful artistry to this superb collection of thirteen carefully-chosen songs, including "I Believe in Christmas," a song written specifically for the album by gospel great BeBe Winans, who turns in a sparkling duet with Dionne on the tune. "I simply chose just a very few of my favorites," she notes--and what inspiring choices she made. Ever a woman of faith, Dionne says, "Singing Christmas songs has the same feeling as singing gospel, because the songs are invariably in reference to the birth of Christ. Since I am totally in love with Christ, I feel honored to sing of Hids birth and importance to the world through song&"

"This being my very first Christmas project, I am truly excited," says Warwick, "and I, like so many others, wonder what took me so long. Well, the wait is over, and I am certain all will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed doing it."

Dionne Warwick

My Favorite Time of the Year

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Track List