Music review: Steve Perry – 鈥楾he Season鈥�
With the temperatures slowly dropping and the frosty white stuff already making an area appearance, it鈥檚 definitely beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas.
Now鈥檚 the time for the decorations to go up, gift lists created, dinner parties to be planned, baking recipes prepared and holiday music to serenade us every step of the way.
With over 400 Christmas recordings acquired as part of my holiday music catalog, the music marathon begins in my home the day after Thanksgiving and doesn鈥檛 come to a close until the arrival of New Year鈥檚 Day.
Despite my massive musical collection, I still get excited when the new releases come out each year. I鈥檝e added 85 new albums over the last few months that are ready to take their spin in the rotation.
This year鈥檚 recommended selection to help set the proper festive mood is Steve Perry鈥檚 鈥淭he Season.鈥�
Perry鈥檚 first-ever Christmas album features eight classic arrangements that possess a nostalgic vibe from holidays past, recalling the joy and comfort of being a child and experiencing the emotions and blessings of gathering with family and friends during this magical time of year.
The former Journey frontman leisurely opens the set with a soothing version of 鈥淭he Christmas Song.鈥� With soft piano accompanying Perry鈥檚 golden voice, the track provides perfect preparation for an evening of chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Perry follows the same formula on tracks such as 鈥淚鈥檒l Be Home for Christmas,鈥� 鈥淲inter Wonderland,鈥� 鈥淪ilver Bells鈥� and 鈥淎uld Lang Syne.鈥�
鈥淪anta Claus Is Coming to Town鈥� switches up the tempo with a Motown makeover provided by the crooning Perry as he stylishly requests for everyone to be on their best behavior in anticipation of Santa鈥檚 distribution of the abundance of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
鈥淗ave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas鈥� provides the closing holiday sentiment with Perry tenderly navigating the emotion of the message. After experiencing life during lockdown through the pandemic, the track鈥檚 lyrics take on a special meaning as Perry sings, 鈥淔aithful friends who are dear to us/Will be near to us once more.鈥�
As you enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, remember that it鈥檚 never too early to begin preparing for Christmas. Perry鈥檚 鈥淭he Season鈥� will certainly give you a reason to smile and help to make the holiday merry and bright.