First Listen: Tamia takes on Stevie Wonder holiday classic
(December 10, 2019) Some songs pass the test of time and of many genres to become considered as a standard. And the term “standard certainly applies to the pensive Stevie Wonder Motown classic, “Someday at Christmas,” penned by Ron Miller and Bryan Wells. The song has found its way through the years via artists ranging from several other Motown family members (Jackson 5, Diana Ross) to rock icons Pearl Jam. A few years back, Stevie returned for his holiday moment of glory with the jazzy soul stylist Audra Day, originally produced as a television ad, in an intimate, moving arrangement.
In 2019, the baton continues to be passed, this time to the voice of Tamia, the Canadian born, Grammy winning talent who has scored consistently on the R&B and dance charts since her earlier work with Quincy Jones. No stranger to interpreting holiday favorites such as “The Christmas Song”, Tamia transports her soulfully angelic voice with our latest First Listen, “Someday at Christmas” (Plus One Music Group/eOne). Tapping into longtime producer/arranger Shep Crawford’s expertise, the track shines in a sea of enchanting keyboards and a children’s choir. Furthermore, Tamia’s sensitive reading accents how love should be demonstrated throughout the hustle and bustle time of the year. Considering this durable work of art has been embraced by many familiar names, Tamia’s perspective behind “Someday at Christmas” hits the musical mark by sincerely capturing the spirit originally intended by Wonder over five decades ago.
By Peggy Oliver
Tamia – “Someday At Christmas”
