It’s Christmas, Of Course is Darlene Love’s new holiday project.

A True Story
By Thanksgiving Eve, the stockings were hung by the chimney with care and our new abstract palm tree was decorated with white lights and neon colored ornaments. Our house full of friends and family; my green iPod Shuffle loaded with holiday tunes playing at a liberal volume.

Through the din of music, conversation and the hustle and bustle of potato peeling and pie baking, our friend, Terry, asked “Who’s that?”

I answered with my head in the refrigerator looking for the whipped topping – I found it in the freezer. “Darlene Love. It’s her new Christmas CD. Do you like it?”

“I love her! Did you know she’s on David Letterman every year?”

I hit the topping container against the side of the counter – thunk. “Yes, for like over twenty years.” I love writing about music and artists; this was a perfect gathering to show off a little. “Did you also know that she’s Motormouth Maybelle in “Hairspray” on Broadway? And, she played Roger Murtaugh’s wife in the “Lethal Weapon” movies?”

“Nah way! She’s was Danny Glover’s wife. I’d like to see all those again.”

“Yah way! Jeff and I have ‘em. Hey, let’s have a movie night this weekend.”

He nodded his head and reached for the container. I had his full attention, it was time to advertise. “Terry . . . doesn’t your sister live in Jersey? Cause, Darlene’s going to be in New York at the Rose Theater in the Lincoln Center on December 17th.”

Terry chipped at the whipped topping with a fork. “Good to know. That’s an idea for a Christmas present. I could give her the CD, too.”

Ah, yes. Mission accomplished.

~ ~ ~

Darlene Love’s new project was an early Christmas present for the first “Cope Family” celebration of the season. Her warm tones, jazzy blues, and rhythmic sounds were perfect for a light hearted and fun holiday weekend. I highly recommend this CD for your seasonal soundtrack. It’s an eclectic collection of songs and I love that she mixed mellow with blues and rock. The final song on the album, “Night of Peace”, made me cry. It’s beautiful.

My Other Favorites:
Christmas Is The Time To Say ‘I Love You’ – When I first heard this song, originally done by Billy Squier, I loved it, but I always wanted to hear it done with a female voice. Darlene Love is the one! Her rendition of this song is warm, jazzy and, of course, rockin!

2000 Miles – Wow! I love the blues sound that Darlene gives this piece. I’m very protective of the original artist, The Pretenders. Chrissie Hynde, the fonder and lead singer, is from my home state of Ohio. Darlene gives this piece a whole new personality and I love her crystal clear vocals as well as the subtle emotional pull she adds to this song.

Happy Xmas (War is Over) – I was very pleased to see that Darlene gave this song another life. I love this song and it has been passed through the years from artist to artist. Its message is strong and clear and deserves to be heard; Darlene is a perfect artist to give it a new voice.

It’s Christmas, Of Course
Darlene Love
Shout! Factory
Sony BMG

Track List
1. Christmas All Over Again – original artist: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
2. Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas – original artist: The Staple Singers
3. Christmas Wish – original artist: NRBQ
4. Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto – original artist: James Brown
5. Please Come Home For Christmas – original artist: Charles Brown
6. 2000 Miles – original artist: The Pretenders
7. Christmas Is The Time To Say ‘I Love You’ – original artist: Billy Squier
8. What Christmas Means To Me – original artist: Stevie Wonder
9. Christmas Must Be Tonight – original artist: The Band
10. Thanks For Christmas – original artist: XTC
11. Happy Xmas (War is Over) – original artist: John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band
12. Night of Peace – Original Song