For most artists recording a Christmas record is a convenient stop-gap in between releasing new material. In
Peter Cetera's case this doesn't ring true as it has been a while since we last heard from one of soft rock's most distinctive crooners.
You Just Gotta Love Christmas brings to the table everything you'd expect from a
Peter Cetera record: lush, pleasant arrangements with crisp, warm, polished production and able musicanship from a crew of veteran session players. It's a mix of holiday favorites mixed in with a few originals and some guest appearances from
Alison Krauss and
Peter's daughter Claire; who is more than up to the task of singing with her father on two of the album's 12 tracks.
Cetera and
Chicago fans will no doubt enjoy having this on in the background during the holidays. ~ Rob Theakston