Mariah Carey, Glowing, Launches New Xmas Album with Mom as Special Guest
Mariah Carey launched many new things last night at the Allen Room at Jazz Lincoln Center: her new album, which features-surprise–her mom, Patricia as a stunning operatic guest vocalist.
Carey also –even though she made no announcement–showed off her pretty obvious pregnant self. She glowed as she took the stage in a kind of black teddy design of a maternity dress. Then she brought out husband Nick Cannon and he glowed. Photographers took pictures and didn’t need flash. It came from the couple.
Island Def Jam’s L.A. Reid introduced the album, “Merry Christmas II You,” which is “available” on November 2nd. (He noted that you can’t say “in stores” anymore since there aren’t many.) Reid kicked off the listening session before Carey arrived since she was late–let’s face it, she’s always late and everyone knows it. But by the time he finished playing several tracks, Mariah and Nick had arrived and all was good.
In the audience: Marc Shaiman, the great Broadway composer, who helped give Mariah arrangements, orchestrations, and new songs that make her notable eight octave voice sound terrific. Also on hand: Gayle King, and Mariah’s phalanx of agents and lawyers.
On stage, Mariah joked about working long hours, and gave thanks to missing producer Randy Jackson.”He’s off working on some show,” she joked about “American Idol.”
And about the album: those who counted Mariah out after the disappointing sales of her last CD, guess what? She’s back. From the 
Phil Spectorish remake of her classic holiday song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to Shaiman’s lush, gorgeous “Christmas Time is in the Air,” Mariah nails the whole thing. Her voice has never sounded better. There’s a nod to A Charlie Brown Christmas with a sample of Vince Guaraldi‘s Peanuts music mashed up with “Christmas Time is Here.” I loved the funky R&B version of “Here Comes Santa Claus” mixed up with a Chic sample courtesy of Nile Rodgers.
As for the big ‘white elephant’ in the room: as Mariah conveyed to this column several weeks ago, she’s superstitious about discussing the pregnancy. That’s fine. You can tell how happy she is! Meanwhile, she’s doing a Christmas TV special on December 12th–and there will be no denying it then.
Start knitting those baby booties.
All pictures c 2010 Showbiz411.com
If you don’t like her, that’s fine, but that doesn’t translate into a flop for Mariah Carey. Just enjoy her music for what it is, or keep it movin. Carey has more than paid her dues in the biz and does not have to hit a homerum everytime out (not to say she won’t this time around). She is one of the few artists who came into the biz in ’89 who still has an active name today. She must be doing *something* right.
Mariah Merry Christmas II You is a tragic flop waiting to happpen. Take a rest…Just look at this..
2010:
Susan Boyle – The Gift
1st week: 318,000 copies sold
2nd week: 320,000 copies sold
Mariah Carey – Merry Christmas II You
1st week: 55,000 copies sold
2nd week: 30,000 copies sold
I hope it doesn’t sound ghetto.
[…] Review by Showbiz411Mariah Carey launched many new things last night at the Allen Room at Jazz Lincoln Center: her new album, which features-surprise-her mom, Patricia as a stunning operatic guest vocalist. […]
I love you mariah carey and always will, currently there are no artist who can even compare to you. keep up the good work.
I will always love mariah carey she could never be a flop so long as she opens her mouth to sing. Why make comments about artist who flop, if your not a fan than fuck off, if she flops she flops,she still in a good.
Mariah is a FLOP next.
I Wish You Well Minina and I hope you find yourself a true icon amidst what you hear now.
We have Mariah Carey in us…and that’s all that matters.
Minina, her last album wasn’t even really a flop. It had a Top 10 single that went platinum, and the album itself went gold. Sure, it’s not anywhere near what she can–and should–achieve, but flop? No. Desperate? Definitely not. “Desperate” is Madonna having to go out and get a younger artist like Justin Timberlake to duet with her just to get a Top 10 hit. When Mariah has to resort to things like that, then we’ll talk about ‘desperate.’
Minina – S.A.D how some people bring the hate, just because they are insecure within themselves. Go find some happiness of your own, there is help out there go seek it before its too late.
Btw (S.A.D = Stupid Azz Dipsh*t)
i think christmas music is mariah’s thing, she’s gonna bring it well. her last albums were great, for fans. she doesnt need to sell billions everytime she releases an album. 20 years, still relevant.
@ Minina – Memoirs flopped but E=Mc didn’t! And besides it is the music industry that is going downhill not Mariah!
I think Mariah will flop hard. She is no where near what she use to be. And her last two albums flopped. Why is she re-making a classic. She seems desperate.