Now digitally available for the very first time the long out of print ‘This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)’ is the sole holiday title and final studio album from the incomparable Teddy Pendergrass. It offers a soulful blend of original songs plus an array of festive classics, such as ‘Little Drummer Boy’, ‘Oh Holy Night’ and ‘The Christmas Song.’
When released, in September 1998, ‘This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)’ made its debut at number 83 on the Billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop albums chart. In 2010, following Pendergrass’ death, it surged in popularity again, peaking at number 43 on the Holiday Albums chart. The collection, which marked Pendergrass’ 14th and final long player, was also received warmly by critics, including All Music, which proclaimed, “Pendergrass' smouldering vocals make ‘This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love)’ one of the most romantic seasonal records on the market.”
In writing ‘This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)’ Pendergrass worked with frequent collaborators such as the GRAMMY® winning composer and producer Reggie Calloway and songwriter and producer Jim Salamone. In doing so he injected the album with an array of original material, including ‘Happy Kwanzaa’ and the hip-hop inspired ‘Having a Christmas Party’ both of which were written by Calloway. Other highlights include the Pendergrass-Calloway original ‘I Won’t Have Christmas’ while slow jams ‘Christmas and You’ and ‘This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)’ blend romance with the true holiday spirit.
Available from Craft Recordings / Concord This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) is out now.