The Tribe Band Spread Good Cheer This Holiday Season With Re-Working Of The Donny Hathaway Classic, ‘This Christmas’

You’d have to have been living under a rock to not know that it’s the festive season right now. Sure it’s a little more subdued than it could have been, what with wars and the cost of living crisis hitting us right where it hurts, but it’s still that time of year right now, when we think about those we love and spare a thought or three for those less fortunate than ourselves (see above, wars, and the cost of living crisis).

The Tribe Band are no different, and they’ve come together to release a cover of the Donny Hathaway classic, ‘This Christmas’, to raise money for the Donny Hathaway Legacy Project, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mental health resources to those who desperately need them.

Comprising legendary artists, including some of the defining voices of the last forty years of popular music, such as Kenny Loggins, Melissa Manchester, Lamont Dozier, Jr., Richard Marx, and Michael McDonald, Freda Payne, Ken Stacey, Frank McComb, Florence LaRue, Terrell Edwards, and many others – The Tribe have put together an incredible holiday single that should stand the test of time.

‘This Christmas’, originally released by Donny Hathaway in 1970, has become a holiday classic, but sadly not before Hathaway’s untimely death in 1979. His spirit lives on however in this version of his song, one of the first Christmas records to be written and recorded by an African-American artist. Produced and arranged by Ken Stacey, the song sees the singers step one by one up to the microphone, delivering their lines with the conviction and soul required to appropriately pay tribute to Hathaway’s vision.

All proceeds from the sales of ‘This Christmas’ will go to the Donny Hathaway Legacy Project. You can find out more about the charity here.

The video for ‘This Christmas’ takes the viewer inside the recording studio, where we see the team of incredibly talented artists who have come together to work on behalf of this worthwhile cause. The holiday spirit is in abundance, but not only that, these artists – singers and instrumentalists – clearly enjoy playing together, hanging out, and putting their own stamp on the classic song. The joy is evident on all their faces, and as you see and listen to them your own face is sure to join in.

Watch the music video for ‘This Christmas’ below, and find out more about The Tribe Band online on their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Watch the music video for ‘This Christmas’ below and via this link.

"THIS CHRISTMAS" by The Tribe & All-Star Friends including Kenny Loggins & Michael McDonald

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com