In 2012, classic rocker Rod Stewart released his first-ever holiday album Merry Christmas, Baby, which is comprised largely of duets with other A-List singers. The album debuted at # 3 on the Billboard 200 and has since achieved platinum sales, but was met with lukewarm reviews from the critics – for example, AllMusic.com’s reviewer savaged Stewart for over-reliance on his “gladhanding charm” and referred to Stewart being now in his “crooning dotage.”
The critics may have a point about the album as a whole, but there’s some “gold in them thar hills,” and that is the track “We Three Kings,” a duet with the great Mary J. Blige. Stewart and Blige are a pairing that renders a certain vocal magic, with producer David Foster adding just-right “woodsy” production touches beneath them. We think it deserves a place on your holiday playlists. Happy Holidays from SoulTracks!
By Robb Patryk
