VIDEO PREMIERE: MARIAH CAREY - "WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES (FT. JOHN LEGEND)"

Still from When Christmas Comes (ft. John Legend)

Mariah Carey, Queen of Everything and all things Christmas! Carey just digitally released this Duet Version featuring, of When Christmas Comes (ft. John Legend) originally from her phenomenal Holiday Disc Merry Christmas II You. Shot pretty much like an Instagram Photo on an iPhone with tons of fun retro effects, this festive Ditty puts me in the Holiday Spirit.

For a moment there I had to do a Double-take when somewhere between the quick flashes of Carey's lovely Jenny Craig-slimmed Physique, Snoopy and Children playing, I noticed her snuggling with a Man in Santa Hat. "Is that John Legend?", I thought. "What would Her Husband think??". But alas, my clicking Pause revealed that indeed that is Carey's Husband Nick Cannon. All is well. Marriage in-tact!  Phew.

Watch the Video for When Christmas Comes (ft. John Legend) below:

MARIAH CAREY CONFIRMS SHE'S EXPECTING TWINS

Mariah Carey on ABC Holiday Special

How many of you caught Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You Special on ABC Monday night?  Phenomenal stuff.  No silliness or theatrics - just her singing tracks off her new Holiday Disc Merry Christmas II You, and it was amazing!

Although there's been much speculation as to whether or not she is carrying Twins, husband Nick Cannon confirmed this morning on his Radio Show on FM 92.3 in New York City that indeed, the rumours are true.  Cannon revealed on-air, "I'm probably gonna get yelled at for not getting permission ... We are having twins!".  Carey's re-hired Publicist Cyndi Berger later confirmed in an official statement that indeed this is true. 

Too amazing!  Congratulations, Mariah.... and Nick!

(Photo credit: ABC)

MARIAH CAREY NOTCHES ANOTHER #1 WITH "OH SANTA!"

Mariah Carey

It took 14 years for it to happen, but Mariah Carey scores her seventh U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart number one hit with Oh Santa!   The only Act with a longer gap between number one hits on the Chart is The Eagles whose 20 year-gap ended with 1994 hit Love Will Keep Us Alive.

This first single off Carey's latest Holiday album Merry Christmas II You also holds the distinction of making the biggest leap ever on the Chart, jumping from number twelve to number one this week.

It will be interesting though to see whether or not this success will spill over to the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart where Carey has been waiting paitiently since 2008 for her 19th U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number one hit, in effect tying her with The Beatles. So close!

(Photo credit: Island/Def Jam)

MARIAH CAREY, QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS

Mariah Carey is the Queen of Christmas and once again her annual classic All I Want for Christmas is You tops the Billboard Holiday Songs Chart. In addition to this, Oh Santa! from her latest Holiday set Merry Christmas II You debuts impressively at number twelve on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart, the highest in her career in that tally. The album after debuting in fourth spot three weeks ago on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart, continues to sell v. well after shifting 123,500 in its first week - strong for a Holiday album, but not quite Susan Boyle-strong.

Carey also just launched her Fashion line on the HSN (Home Shopping Network) and you can check out some of the goods here. Of course, what collection of hers would be complete without a Crystal Butterfly Necklace?  Word also is that Carey and husband Nick Cannon are expecting - get this - Twins!  She has yet to confirm this, but keep in mind that she was late also in confirming her Pregnancy until recently.

In the meantime, check out this newly-released Video of Carey and her mother Patricia collaborating in this new take on O Come All Ye Faithful, off of her new disc. The Holidays are here, indeed. 

MARIAH CAREY IN NBC'S "CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTRE" SPECIAL

Mariah Carey & Snoopy at Rockefeller Centre

Too cute!  It seems that Motherhood is bringing out the inner-Girl in Mariah Carey even more than ever!  I just hope Hello Kitty isn't jealous of Snoopy here....

Carey just finished recording her part last night in New York City for NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Centre Special, set to air Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 8:00 PM EST.  On the broadcast, she will be performing Oh Santa! from her amazing Merry Christmas II You CD.  Other performers include Josh Groban, Katherine Jenkins, Annie Lennox and Jackie Evancho.

For more pics, visit Mariah Journal, the definitive Mariah Carey Fan Site.

(Photo credit: Mariah Journal)

MARIAH CAREY'S "MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU" COOKIES

Carey in the Kitchen

In case you couldn't tell, huge Mariah Carey fan here.  In celebration of her amazing new Holiday album, Merry Christmas II You in stores today, she has posted her own Cookie Recipe on PopEater for your Cookie Exchanges this Holiday Season.  Aww... how thoughtful!

This simple Sugar Cookie recipe looks pretty standard and easy enough to follow.  Happy Baking!

To read my review of Carey's Merry Christmas II You, click here.

Mariah Carey's 'Merry Christmas II You' Cookies

Serves 4 dozen

MARIAH CAREY - MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU REVIEW

It's a bit unfortunate that we needed a Holiday album from Mariah Carey as an excuse to hear her doing what she does best: full-on singing. Easily her best work since 2005's The Emancipation of Mimi, Carey is back in full force with her long in-the-works follow-up to 1994's Merry Christmas, this one sequentially titled Merry Christmas II You.

If you don't celebrate Christmas or like sappy Christmas Carols, understandably this isn't for you. For the rest of us who observe the Festivities, Merry Christmas II You perhaps is even better than its predecessor and an essential listen this Holiday.  

The 13-track Collection features original numbers Oh Santa!, Christmas Time is in the Air Again, When Christmas Comes, One Child and of course an updating of Carey's self-penned Holiday classic All I Want for Christmas is You (Extra Festive). You already know how much I adore Oh Santa!, which follows in the same vein as that latter track with a bit of that classic Motown/The Supremes goodness. The magic gets delivered truly on a goose bump-inducingly good The First Noel, which transitions into a v. sexy and soulful interlude of Born is the King. When Christmas Comes resembles Grammy-nominated Carey track Mine Again (which inspired a fragrance in her latest Lollipop Bling set) in its  classic soul inflections. She reaches all the way up into the upper part of her already remarkable range in the choruses, giving us what we really pay for on a Mariah Carey album.

NEW MUSIC: MARIAH CAREY - OH SANTA!

Nobody does festive Holiday Cheer like Mariah and if this is just a taste of what's to come off her new album Merry Christmas II You out in exactly one month, I'm pretty certain she's got herself another classic under her barely-there belt of a skirt. 

Oh Santa! is a fitting follow-up to her untopable All I Want For Christmas is You, delivering every ounce of energy as its predecessor.  And even though it's only early October, this fun little The Supremes-esque ditty has me wanting to order a White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Latte and a Cranberry Bliss Bar at Starbucks already.

And above this, Mariah sounds wonderful on this track.  None of that whispery, raspyness which has marred some of her recent work.  I knew it would only be a matter of time before I'd be excited for her allover again.  *multi-octave squeal*

Listen to Oh Santa! from Mariah Carey (courtesy of Universal Music):

MARIAH CAREY AND DAVID LACHAPPELLE UNLEASH MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU COVER ART

Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas II You

I know I am supposed to be taking a break from Blogging, but I could not contain my excitement for this crucial bit of news. Mariah Carey and Celebrity Photographer David LaChappelle have done it again! Check out this just-released cover art for Carey's upcoming Merry Christmas II You which will be in stores November 2, 2010 via Island/Def Jam (Univesal Music). The album is her second Holiday album, following the massive success of 1994's Merry Christmas.  The album's first single is titled Oh, Santa.  Oh, yeah! 

I love that it looks like a Party Flyer and a Christmas Card all-in-one, a scintillating juxtaposition of seduction and festive cheer.  And I love that even Mr. Snowman himself cannot prevent Carey from being photographed only from her "good side".  Love it.