Los Angeles (September 19, 2023) – Craft Recordings is thrilled to announce the digital debut of This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love), the sole holiday title (and final studio album) from the incomparable R&B star Teddy Pendergrass.
Los Angeles (September 19, 2023) – Craft Recordings is thrilled to announce the digital debut of This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love), the sole holiday title (and final studio album) from the incomparable R&B star Teddy Pendergrass. Debuting on November 3rdacross digital platforms and available to pre-save now, the long-out-of-print album, which turns 25 this year, offers a soulful blend of original songs (“Happy Kwanzaa,” “Christmas and You”) plus an array of festive classics, including “Little Drummer Boy,” “Oh Holy Night” and“The Christmas Song.” This year, Christmas comes ahead of schedule with Pendergrass’ contemporary and inspiring version of “Joy to the World,“ available now.
When he began writing his first-ever Christmas album, Pendergrass was fresh off a starring role in the touring gospel musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God and was readying to publish his autobiography, Truly Blessed. It was certainly a joyful time for the artist—and that radiates throughout This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love). Working with frequent collaborators like the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter/producer Reggie Calloway and songwriter/producer Jim Salamone, Pendergrass recorded an array of original material, including “Happy Kwanzaa” and the hip-hop inspired “Having a Christmas Party” (both 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 holiday spirit. Pendergrass also put his special touch on a slew of traditional holiday songs: from a grooving “Joy to the World” and Afrobeat-tinged “Little Drummer Boy” to soulful renditions of “We Three Kings,” “The Christmas Song,” “Oh Holy Night” and the John Lennon / Yoko Ono classic “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
Upon its release in September 1998, This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) debuted at No.83 on Billboard’s Top R&B Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2010, following Pendergrass’ death, it surged in popularity again, peaking at No.43 on the Holiday Albums chart. The album, which marked Pendergrass’ 14th and final LP, was also received warmly by critics, including AllMusic, which proclaimed, “Pendergrass’ smoldering vocals make This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)one of the most romantic seasonal records on the market.”
Album producer, Jim Salamone shares “What a thrill to realize that Teddy’s album is being re-released! So many great memories are attached to the creation of this timeless work. It will be very satisfying for people to be able to enjoy this record every Holiday season.” Adds Daniel Markus, Pendergrass’s co-manager “Teddy was very proud of this album. He put it all together himself with some help from the Calloway Brothers (of Midnight Star fame) and Jim [Salamone].”