Ten years ago this month (Oct. 15), Mary J. Blige released her first holiday album, A Mary Christmas. The R&B icon has reissued the album with a special 10th anniversary edition.
A Mary Christmas (Anniversary Edition) features all the original songs from the standard version, plus four additional tracks, including “Winter Wonderland” and “Silent Night.” The latter two are now available digitally and on streaming platforms. They were previously exclusive to Target.
The album includes “Oh Holy Night” and a solo rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” both previously unreleased. The latter track appears on A Mary Christmas as a duet with vocalist Jessie J.
The expanded iteration of A Mary Christmas is also available on CD and on vinyl for the first time. It is pressed on 2LP in translucent red and black and are available for purchase. Vinyl prices start at $35.98 on Blige’s official website.
A Mary Christmas was released on Oct. 15, 2013, via Verve Records/Interscope Records. It includes features from Barbra Streisand, The Clark Sisters, Jessie J and Marc Anthony. Blige sings in Spanish and French for two holiday favorites.
Produced and arranged by David Foster, A Mary Christmas debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart during the week dated Nov. 2, 2013.
“I want to thank David Foster for being on one accord with me and creating such an amazing music bed so fitting for what I do so my fans will enjoy these songs as well as your fans. I loved creating music with you. You are the best,” Blige wrote in her album booklet.
It also entered the Billboard 200 at No. 24 and peaked at No. 10 in December of the same year. This marked the 12th time Blige had an album reach the top 10 of the popular albums chart.
“This Christmas,” a faithful cover of Donny Hathaway’s signature carol, was released as the first single from A Mary Christmas. It peaked at No. 2 and No. 4 on the Adult Contemporary and Holiday Digital Song Sales chart.
On the latter list, Blige’s “When You Wish Upon A Star” duet with Streisand featuring Botti reached No. 10.
Meanwhile, Blige had two other singles, namely “My Favorite Things” (No. 13) and “The First Noel” featuring The Clark Sisters, make an appearance on the Adult Contemporary chart.
A Mary Christmas was certified gold for selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S. It’s Blige’s last album to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Listen to Mary J. Blige’s A Mary Christmas (Anniversary Edition) below.