carrieidol1
Diamond Member
Joined: August 2007
Posts: 12,756
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Post by carrieidol1 on Dec 4, 2020 16:07:32 GMT -5
While this special leaves much to be desired for me, I’m very pleased in the relaunch of “Oh Santa”, or whatever you want to call it. It did fairly well when it was new, and I think this collaboration could actually make it another holiday staple for Mariah. It’s a fire song and straight up ear worm, it could actually be huge.
Also, the Ariana/Mariah whistle harmony is everything. Heartwarming to see! They a did a terrible job syncing Jen’s vocals to the video though, that was distracting.
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@DjKingBee
Gold Member
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Posts: 504
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Post by @DjKingBee on Dec 4, 2020 16:09:56 GMT -5
The Remix is FIRE !!!! always loved this song anyways
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Franck
3x Platinum Member
Normani -Dopamine
Joined: March 2009
Posts: 3,768
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Post by Franck on Dec 4, 2020 16:14:17 GMT -5
I have always liked the original but I rarely listen to it. This is a very busy song. It's even busier now obviously but I don't mind it. I like this collaboration a lot. And the video is lovely. I don't think it's an improvement, but it's cute! I do wish they had layered the vocals throughout, the solo bits during the verses throw it off a little bit (the song is already busy). J Hud adds some much appreciated gospel flair and adds some backbone to the harmonies. The whistle moment with Ari is great, but her solo bits are blah and emotionless per the usual, especially on a song this upbeat and fun. The ending is grand but the problem is that three powerhouse vocalists are on a song that is wordy and fast paced and requires talk-singing / chanting through most of it. |
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back2blk
4x Platinum Member
Dupe
Joined: September 2020
Posts: 4,560 
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Post by back2blk on Dec 4, 2020 16:18:02 GMT -5
This special is actually really cute. I am in awe at her continued effort and spirit during Christmas, and how someone on her team had the genius idea to make it part of her branding/legacy. Mariah looks stunning all throughout, and she got some amazing lighting. It's funny and festive, and Billy really helped bring out her fun side. I could actually watch this year after year given that she re-recorded her vocals to her voice's current form. I agree that her voice has changed, and you can tell she knows this too because of her delivery. For instance, she gave us two slightly different intro versions of Joy to the World this month. The fact that she can give us changes like that, whether its to dodge notes, or just to change it up, tells me she's comfortable with what she CAN do. I actually applaud her for wanting to give us recent vocals on this special - I wonder if it was a licensing thing - or she really felt that up for it, vocally.
I wouldn't be a true lamb if I didn't also offer at least one harsh critique. I was not feeling that Wicked Witch of the North Pole silver ensemble/hair moment she gave us in the middle. lol
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2020 16:23:27 GMT -5
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daneeis
Charting
Joined: October 2020
Posts: 91
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Post by daneeis on Dec 4, 2020 16:23:30 GMT -5
Can y'all explain her vocal changes for those (like me) who know nothing about vocals? Is she still a vocal powerhouse with her current voice?
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schnetzka
3x Platinum Member
One of Pulse's Shania Fans
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Post by schnetzka on Dec 4, 2020 16:31:13 GMT -5
Can y'all explain her vocal changes for those (like me) who know nothing about vocals? Is she still a vocal powerhouse with her current voice? I'm sure others can explain it better but from what I noticed, she can still do things that others cannot. Since she hasn't toured much this year, her voice seems rested and more fluid. When she gets tired nowadays, a lot of her notes comes out staccato-like. |
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bat1990
Diamond Member
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Posts: 13,674
Pronouns: he/him
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Post by bat1990 on Dec 4, 2020 16:33:57 GMT -5
That moment of the harmonized whistle note!!!!
Mariah's face lit up that she had someone to do that with.
I'm sure if Minnie Riperton had survived her cancer, we would've gotten a similar moment in the 90s.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2020 17:38:37 GMT -5
I think her voice sounds great on the special. Still a bit nasal, but she sounds confident and strong. One weakness is that she seems to not be singing from her diaphragm -- it's like there isn't much weight behind a lot of it -- but some moments (especially on Oh Holy Night) truly surprised me and she even had some ringing sound to the belts! I get what you're hearing though, she almost sounds like a "computerized version" of Mariah Carey's voice even though it's not.
IMO she sounds best on Sleigh Ride on this new album.
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#LisaRinna
Diamond Member
#LiteralLegender
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Posts: 42,851
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Post by #LisaRinna on Dec 4, 2020 18:07:14 GMT -5
US iTunes:
#1 - "Oh Santa!" f/ Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson
#3 - Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special
#6 - "All I Want for Christmas Is You"
#38 - Merry Christmas
#61 - Merry Christmas II You
#80 - "All I Want for Christmas Is You (Magical Christmas Mix)"
#104 - "Sleigh Ride"
#200 - "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
#201 - "Oh Santa!"
#236 - "All I Want for Christmas Is You (Extra Festive)"
#314 - "O Holy Night"
#491 - "O Holy Night (Magical Christmas Mix)"
#506 - Merry Christmas Deluxe
#562 - "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"
#672 - "Joy to the World (Magical Christmas Mix)"
#1417 - "When Christmas Comes (Magical Christmas Mix)"
#1459 - "Joy to the World"
Spotify US:
1. Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You - 1,083,677 plays (+6,176)
154. Mariah Carey - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - 280,805 plays (+360)
Global Spotify:
2. Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You - 4,095,149 plays (+20,253)
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2020 18:07:32 GMT -5
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Post by sundaymorningguy on Dec 4, 2020 18:11:47 GMT -5
I hope she surprises us at the end of the year with an I’m working on new material for an album in 2021 announcement. I know she has done a lot for us this year, but I’m really interested to see what a follow up to Caution looks like.
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sephyrpatriq
Gold Member
Embrace (Feel The Same) out on June 15th
Joined: June 2005
Posts: 770
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Post by sephyrpatriq on Dec 4, 2020 18:56:28 GMT -5
I hope she surprises us at the end of the year with an I’m working on new material for an album in 2021 announcement. I know she has done a lot for us this year, but I’m really interested to see what a follow up to Caution looks like. What do you think about a new album of Jazz Standards and new Jazz songs produced by Herbie Hancock and Jon Batiste? It’d put her in a different market and surely get her critical acclaim. |
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colson
Diamond Member
Joined: February 2006
Posts: 17,905
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Post by colson on Dec 4, 2020 19:01:43 GMT -5
At this point, it couldn't hurt to experiment and try something completely different than what you normally expect from her, if anything just for the fun and challenge of it.
I don't mind most genres. I just hope it isn't country or hard rock. Just not my taste. :)
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🌺T.A.T.I🌺
2x Platinum Member
Joined: September 2015
Posts: 2,184 
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Post by 🌺T.A.T.I🌺 on Dec 4, 2020 19:08:49 GMT -5
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2020 19:13:07 GMT -5
I definitely think a Jazz album, then a Gospel album. Caution was so good but it ain’t going anywhere for her. The other two genres would cement her musicianship in eyes of the public and all the critics. And we know she’s capable of making stellar albums.
The selfish part of me would want one more caution type album to try it one more time but I’m afraid that people will accuse her of over staying her welcome if that makes sense.
Or she could just go full Christmas legacy act and only resurface after Thanksgiving. That would be the easiest thing to do and she will always have an audience.
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Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...
Diamond Member
All Lives Can’t Matter Until Black Lives Matter
Joined: February 2008
Posts: 18,432
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Post by Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... on Dec 4, 2020 19:15:27 GMT -5
HDD has Merry Christmas at #14 Top Albums!
The top selling female Christmas album continues to reign supreme!
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ccchui
Charting
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Posts: 171
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Post by ccchui on Dec 4, 2020 19:22:15 GMT -5
Oh Santa is now hitting 4.4 M view in Youtube....can it hit 5M before the first day of release is over?
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jenglisbe
Diamond Member
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 35,556
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Post by jenglisbe on Dec 4, 2020 19:34:25 GMT -5
Is she a pop, country, Christian artist now? I’ve literally lost track of her, as I’ve seen her pop up in different genres. I think I saw someone like her singing in the Rockefeller special? If it was her, she did a great job. But I think JHud gave extra flavor to the remix, with more gospel flare that made it more interesting in my opinion. Plus it’s great to see a Black R&B artist like JHud in this type of track. There should be more diversity in Christmas hits... Tori Kelly is partially black, like Mariah. FYI. And she's a terrific singer. |
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Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...
Diamond Member
All Lives Can’t Matter Until Black Lives Matter
Joined: February 2008
Posts: 18,432
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Post by Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... on Dec 4, 2020 20:01:12 GMT -5
Oh Santa is now hitting 4.4 M view in Youtube....can it hit 5M before the first day of release is over? Looks like it will! 4.6M now with 4 hours left. |
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The Northern Star⭐
6x Platinum Member
I'll follow you from here like you're the Northern Star....
Joined: June 2006
Posts: 6,655
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Post by The Northern Star⭐ on Dec 4, 2020 20:16:04 GMT -5
Oh Santa is now hitting 4.4 M view in Youtube....can it hit 5M before the first day of release is over? Looks like it will! 4.6M now with 4 hours left. Can we make 5 million? |
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jenglisbe
Diamond Member
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 35,556
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Post by jenglisbe on Dec 4, 2020 20:21:13 GMT -5
HDD has Merry Christmas at #14 Top Albums! Wow at Nat King Cole being above it. |
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BodegaKay
Charting
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Posts: 482
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Post by BodegaKay on Dec 4, 2020 21:10:58 GMT -5
over 5 mil on YouTube
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Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...
Diamond Member
All Lives Can’t Matter Until Black Lives Matter
Joined: February 2008
Posts: 18,432
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Post by Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... on Dec 4, 2020 21:14:06 GMT -5
With a few more hours to go! Come on 6M!
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Dreams
9x Platinum Member
We Are Lambily
Joined: November 2011
Posts: 9,370
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Post by Dreams on Dec 4, 2020 21:14:14 GMT -5
Obviously I'm only speculating but I, too, think menopause affected her voice big time. Since 2018 she pretty much hasn't been able to *hold* a belted note for more than a couple of seconds. She wasn't like Whitney in the sense that she, barring CB, served killer studio vocals at the very least not to mention that with touring her voice would grow stronger. But the album Caution had zero sustained belting moments and was generally tame vocally, plus throughout the Caution tour she was dodging big vocals a lot and only kind of managed to show out some during the second leg of the tour, in Europe. In 10-15 years I realistically see her singing a lot like Aretha used to from the 2000s until her death – a lot of runs and skipping any big money notes altogether. I think with this Christmas album she really tried her best, there's a lot of vocal embellishments that were missing from Caution, and, again, it's not that she sounds bad right now (not at all).
Also, her 2010 voice was a BEAST, it doesn't compare to now:
---
Ew @ a Jazz or Gospel album. I honestly think Mariah will be playing the mainstream game putting out regular albums for as long as she can.
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Post by die Lotterie on Dec 4, 2020 21:27:47 GMT -5
I'm okay with Jazz and Gospel tinged tracks here or there, perhaps an album if that's really where her heart is, but f**k the notion of full on albums of it for the critics. Isn't she past that stage of her career? She has absolutely nothing else left to prove, lmao.
Some lambs need to appreciate and enjoy what she has given us and continues to give us while she's still with us. Not all fanbases can do that.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2020 21:31:15 GMT -5
You’re never past re-invention to make critically amazing albums. She kinda did that with Caution. I just think if she keeps doing the Caution formula it will not go well. She could do amazing amy whinehouse type sounds and she could totally turn people on their heads
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2020 21:37:12 GMT -5
At this point I just want Mariah to be Mariah. Caution wasn’t pandering to critics or trying to fit in with the kids at radio who are half her age... and it was very well received. She’s past her commercial prime (funny to say that given she’s everywhere at least once a year.. but it’s due to her older music.. still something most acts would kill for), and she’s a bonafide legend who doesn’t need to prove herself worthy of respect/reverence as an artist anymore. I’m perfectly fine with her doing whatever type of music she’s inspired to create at this point. I’d rather her heart be in it than her giving us some version of what she thinks people want from her.
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schnetzka
3x Platinum Member
One of Pulse's Shania Fans
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Post by schnetzka on Dec 4, 2020 21:45:08 GMT -5
I don't care what type of music she releases as long as she releases albums. That's all I beg of her. In the age of streaming and all, I will always be an albums' person.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2020 21:47:00 GMT -5
That could potentially be an album (or albums) full of ‘I Stay In Love/Love Story’ rehashes. Even if that’s exactly where her heart is it wouldn’t be the best for her career wise. And I think most fans wouldn’t be down for that in the long term either. I do think it would be smart to keep evolving, even if that means Jazz or Gospel
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