Craft Recordings has announced Teddy Pendergrass’ holiday album, This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love), will be released to streaming services Nov. 3.
As part of the announcement, the label has unleashed Pendergrass’ rendition of “Joy To The World.”
This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) contains a mix of originals such as “I Won’t Have Christmas” and “Christmas and You,” as well as Pendergrass’ interpretation of other classics, including “Little Drummer Boy” and “Oh Holy Night.”
The album was released Sept. 15, 1998, and debuted at No. 83 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. (It peaked at No. 48 on the Top Holiday Albums chart in 2010, following Pendergrass’ death on Jan. 13.)
This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) was Pendergrass’ first holiday album and his final album overall. He worked with frequent collaborators such as songwriter/producer Reggie Calloway and producer Jim Salamone.
“What a thrill to realize that Teddy’s album is being re-released!” says Salamone. “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.”
Daniel Markus, Pendergrass’ co-manager, adds, “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].”
In 2019, it was reported that actor and singer Tyrese had been enlisted to portray Pendergrass in a biopic. According to Deadline, Warner Bros Pictures acquired the life rights of Pendergrass to create this film. It was also reported Little Marvin would write the script, while Donald De Line would serve as producer with support from Lee Daniels and Gibson via Voltron Pictures.
“[I am] honored to take this journey,” Tyrese wrote in an Instagram caption. “This is a role that I feel I was born to play. Teddy Pendergrass embraced me, and before [he] died, he put the responsibility on my shoulders to tell his story.”
Stream Teddy Pendergrass’ “Joy To The World” below.
Teddy Pendergrass’ This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) Tracklist
1. Joy To The World
2. Little Drummer Boy
3. Christmas And You
4. The Christmas Song
5. Having A Christmas Party
6. I Won’t Have Christmas
7. We Three Kings
8. Oh Holy Night
9. Happy Kwanzaa
10. This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)
11. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)