Believe it or not, Jennifer Hudson hasn’t released a new album in a decade.
It’s shocking because for me she has the single richest voice in popular music, a throwback to when singers modulated and expressed personality in their readings. The voice is a wonder. But she’s been busy making movies, and starring in her daily talk show. There isn’t time for everything!
“The Gift of Love” is a quasi Christmas album executive produced by Ryan Tedder with lots of superstar guest producers including Greg Phillinganes and David Foster.
I’m not a particular fan of Christmas songs, but the takes on each one here are stunningly personal and unique. The non Christmas songs standout as much as the holiday numbers. Hudson has been singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” for a few years now, making it a signature number. A new song called “Find the Love” finds its delightful groove in its simplicity and show off Hudson’s remarkable range.
Among the holiday numbers, Hudson opens up with creative arrangements that make the standards hers. “Santa for Someone” shows her gorgeous R&B talents with jazz overlays. “Carol of the Bells” with South African quintet The Joy, is a vocal gem. Hudson’s take on Nat King Cole’s “Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)” is superb and for the ages. I can’t imagine not hearing it everywhere from this season on.
There’s still so much for Hudson to record. It’s time her for to do more albums, and concentrate on arrangements like these. She has a reservoir of talent that still hasn’t been mined.
