Following two decades of international hits as a solo artist and with L.T.D., Jeffey Osborne took a hiatus from recording for most of the 1990s. In 1997, however, he quietly released a fine holiday set, Something Warm for Christmas. Issued on Modern Records, the onetime Atlantic-distributed label which gave Natalie Cole her first shot at a comeback via 1985’s Dangerous album, Osborne’s Christmas album was one of the label’s last new releases before dissolving from its original incarnation.
In 2002, Something Warm for Christmas – largely produced by Osborne, with George Duke also helming a handful of selections – was picked up by Koch Records (now MNRK Music Group) and gained a bit more exposure. Now, nearly three decades after its initial release, the classy collection is getting a new life thanks to independent reissue label Friday Music. Pressed in both red and green vinyl editions, hearing Osborne on wax give his inspiriting treatment to traditional favorites such as “Christmas Time Is Here” and “Little Drummer Boy” is a special holiday gift. But it’s one of the album’s two original numbers, “Just a Little Snow,” that stands as perhaps its most memorable centerpiece.
Composed by Osborne with bandleader and keyboardist Paul Mirkovich and featuring his children on background vocals and dialogue, “Just a Little Snow” relays the familiar experience of striving to capture the feeling of Christmas amidst warm weather and dry conditions. “Merry Christmas, everyone/Sun in Cali’s merry, and it’s bright/Still there’s something missing here, Frosty never will appear/Christmas will be Christmas even though/ I could use a tiny bit of snow.”
An emotive chord structure, calming acoustic guitar strums, and illustrious keyboard arrangement enrich Osborne’s distinguished delivery of the reflective melody, germinating a finespun few moments of nostalgic atmosphere. At a point in history where many families are coping with challenging economic realities that make traditional, gift-centered celebrations of Christmas difficult, “Just a Little Snow” is a comforting reminder of the sentiments and shared experiences that make the holiday its most meaningful.
Check out Friday Music’s vinyl reissue of Something Warm for Christmas and revisit Jeffrey Osborne’s timeless holiday soulfulness on “Just a Little Snow.”
