"James Taylor at Christmas" is a Christmas and second holiday album by singer-songwriter James Taylor. The album was initially released by Columbia Records on October 10, 2006, and following an exclusive period of distribution at Hallmark Cards, it was later released to the wider market. The album is a collection of holiday classics and includes a duet with popular singer Natalie Cole on "Baby, It's Cold Outside".
This album showcases James Taylor's signature sound on a strong collection of songs that range from standards like "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bells," to pop classics such as "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," and even a cover of Joni Mitchell's "River." By bringing his unique talent to these well-known songs, Taylor adds a fresh spin to traditional holiday music.
James Taylor at Christmas was well-received upon its wide release and was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. It was also certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 500,000 copies.
The holiday album features thoughtful interpretations powered by Taylor's warm voice, adding both soul and simplicity. The arrangements are crisp, and they leave plenty of room for the vocals to be the focus. Among the album's standout tracks is "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," which is a solo guitar-and-voice arrangement. There's an appealing modesty in Taylor's approach to this album, making it a comforting and unpretentious listen.
