''Christmas Interpretations'' is the first Christmas album and second overall studio album by American
R&B group
Boyz II Men. It was released on October 5, 1993, by
Motown. Several of the tracks are originals, written by Boyz II Men with labelmate and longtime friend
Brian McKnight
Brian Kelly McKnight (born June 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, radio host and multi-instrumentalist. He is most recognized for his strong head voice, high belting range and melisma.
McKnight is known for h ...
; others are traditional Christmas songs.
Critical reception
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...
editor Jose F. Promis described the album as "a cozy, velvety, and hip
quiet storm
Quiet storm is a radio format and genre of R&B, performed in a smooth, romantic, jazz-influenced style. It was named after the title song on Smokey Robinson's 1975 album '' A Quiet Storm''.
The radio format was pioneered in 1976 by Melvin Li ...
Christmas album with touches of jazz, nostalgia, and melancholy but, at times, one yearns to hear the Boyz' lush harmonies wrapped around traditional favorites."
''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cu ...
'' critic David Browne wrote that Boyz II Men "lusciously harmonize on ''Christmas Interpretations''. With the exception of "Silent Night," the album consists entirely of new songs, most with mournful seasonal themes. It's a pretty gutsy move, but hampered by the fact that none of the originals are as memorable as, say, "Silent Night"."
Chart performance
''Christmas Interpretations'' peaked at number 19 in the US
''Billboard'' 200.
The album had sold 1,767,000 copies by December 2012.
Track listing
Notes
* signifies a co-producer
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
Boyz II Men albums
Motown albums
1993 Christmas albums
Albums produced by Brian McKnight
Christmas albums by American artists
Contemporary R&B Christmas albums
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