My Gift to You (Alexander O'Neal album)

My Gift to You
Studio album by Alexander O'Neal
Released 1988
Genre
Length 42:28
Label Tabu
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. It was originally released in 1988 by Tabu.

On release, the album was received favorably by the majority of music critics. However it wasn't very successful peaking at #149 on the Billboard 200 and reached #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 #30 on the UK Singles Chart.[3]

Critical reception

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

All songs written and composed by James Harris and Terry Lewis, except where noted.[4]

Side one
No. Title Length
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"  
  • Felix Bernard
  • Dick Smith
 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

  • Alexander O'Neal – arranger, vocal arrangement, vocals
  • Denzil Foster – drum programming, keyboards
  • David Agent – guitar
  • Ira D. Conley – bass, bass (vocal)
  • Lee Blaskey – arranger, conductor, orchestra production
  • Michael L. Bowens – sax (tenor), tenor (vocal)
  • Robert Edwards – sax (tenor), tenor (vocal)
  • Terrence Frierson – sax (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)
  • Jimmy Jam – arranger, associate producer, choir arrangement, drums, executive producer, horn, keyboard programming, keyboards, percussion, piano, producer, rhythm, string arrangements
  • Jellybean Johnson – guitar, percussion
  • Valerie Johnson – soprano, soprano (vocal)
  • Lisa Keith – arranger, vocal arrangement, vocals (background)
  • Jennifer L. – alto (vocals)
  • Patricia Lacy – alto (vocals)
  • Terry Lewis – arranger, associate producer, bass, choir arrangement, executive producer, guitar, horn, percussion, rhythm, string arrangements, vocals (background)
  • Renee McCall – soprano, soprano (vocal)
  • Thomas McElroy – drum programming, drums, keyboards, producer
  • Otis Montgomery – sax (tenor), tenor (vocal)
  • Jayn Bell Porter – soprano, soprano (vocal)
  • Randy Ran – vocals (background)
  • 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)

Charts

Peak positions

Original release
Chart Peak
Position		 Total
weeks
Swedish Albums Chart[5] 26 3
UK Albums Chart[6] 53 3
US Billboard Chart[7] 149 ?
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[7] 54 ?

References

  1. 1 2 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. ↑ Alexander O'Neal - My Gift To You (LP liner notes). Tabu/Epic Records. OZ 45016
  5. ↑ "SWE Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  6. ↑ "UK Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  7. 1 2 "US Albums Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-05-26.

External links

Alexander O'Neal
Studio albums
Live albums
  • Live at the Hammersmith Apollo - London (2005)
Compilations
  • All Mixed Up (1987)
  • Twelve Inch Mixes (1992)
  • This Thing Called Love: The Greatest Hits of Alexander O'Neal (1993)
  • The Best of Alexander O'Neal (1995)
  • Greatest Hits (2004)
  • Icon (2011)
Singles
Related articles
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