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My Gift to You (Alexander O'Neal album)

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My Gift to You
Studio album by
Alexander O'Neal
ReleasedNovember 11, 1988
Recorded1987–1988
Genre
Length42:28
LabelTabu
Producer
Alexander O'Neal chronology
All Mixed Up
(1987) 		My Gift to You
(1988) 		All True Man
(1991)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

My Gift to You is the first and only Christmas album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal, released on November 11, 1988, by Tabu Records.

On release, the album was received favorably by the majority of music critics. However, it was not very successful, peaking at No. 149 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 54 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[2] The album only launched one charting single in the UK. "The Christmas Song"/"Thank You for a Good Year" which peaked at No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart.[3]

Critical reception

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In a retrospective review, Jason Ankeny of AllMusic gave the album three out of five stars and wrote that "My Gift to You is plainly a product of its era, complete with thick synthesizers and programmed rhythms, and is best enjoyed by listeners still hoping Santa brings them acid-washed jeans and Members Only jackets regardless of the year in question."[1]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by James Harris and Terry Lewis, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."My Gift to You"4:21
2."Sleigh Ride"5:58
3."Our First Christmas"5:33
4."Remember Why (It's Christmas)"4:09
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."The Little Drummer Boy"
5:00
6."The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)"
3:16
7."This Christmas"
3:32
8."Winter Wonderland"
3:16
9."Thank You for a Good Year" 6:07
10."Remember Why (It's Christmas) (Reprise)" 1:21
Total length:42:28

Personnel

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  • Alexander O'Neal – arranger; vocal arrangement; vocals
  • Jimmy Jam – arranger; associate producer; choir arrangement; drums; executive producer; horns; keyboard programming; keyboards; percussion; piano; producer; rhythm; string arrangements
  • Terry Lewis – arranger; associate producer; bass; choir arrangement; executive producer; guitar; horns; percussion; rhythm; string arrangements; backing vocals
  • Thomas McElroy – drum programming; drums; keyboards; producer
  • Denzil Foster – drum programming; keyboards
  • Jellybean Johnson – guitar; percussion
  • David Agent – guitar
  • Ira D. Conley – bass; bass (vocal)
  • Lee Blaskey – arranger; conductor; orchestra production
  • Michael L. Bowens – saxophone (tenor); tenor (vocal)
  • Robert Edwards – saxophone (tenor); tenor (vocal)
  • Terrence Frierson – saxophone (tenor); tenor (vocal)
  • Dorothy Cates – soprano (vocal)
  • Shirley Marie Graham – alto; alto (vocals)
  • Carrie M. Harrington – alto; alto (vocals)
  • Gary Hines – choir arrangement; director
  • Wendy Ingram – soprano; soprano (vocal)
  • Valerie Johnson – soprano; soprano (vocal)
  • Lisa Keith – arranger; vocal arrangement; backing vocals
  • Jennifer L. – alto (vocals)
  • Patricia Lacy – alto (vocals)
  • Renee McCall – soprano; soprano (vocal)
  • Otis Montgomery – saxophone (tenor); tenor (vocal)
  • Jayn Bell Porter – soprano; soprano (vocal)
  • Randy Ran – backing vocals
  • Charles Robinson – bass; bass (vocal)
  • Alecia Russell – alto
  • Aleeta D. Russell – alto (vocals)
  • Sounds of Blackness – choir; chorus
  • Jennifer Whitlock – alto; alto (vocals)
  • David B. Young – bass; bass (vocal)

Chart performance

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Chart Peak
position
Swedish Albums Chart[4] 26
UK Albums Chart[5] 53
US Billboard Chart[6] 149
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[6] 54

References

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  1. ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Jason Ankeny – My Gift to You". AllMusic. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  2. ^ Hearsay Chart & awards at AllMusic
  3. ^ Roberts, David (2002). Guinness World Records British Hit Singles (15th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Ltd. ISBN 0-85112-187-X., p.360
  4. ^ "SWE Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  5. ^ "UK Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  6. ^ a b "US Albums Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
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