Debbie Wileman Wraps the Season in Magic with A Christmas Garland

From the very first note, A Christmas Garland feels like an exquisitely wrapped gift: one that sparkles with nostalgia, warmth, and the unmistakable heart of Judy Garland, channelled by the remarkably talented Debbie Wileman. This record is more than a tribute. It is the holiday album Judy herself never made, imagined and brought to life by an artist who doesn’t just imitate Garland but embodies her spirit.

Produced by Scott Stander and beautifully orchestrated by Steve Orich (the same arranger behind Jersey Boys), A Christmas Garland has a lush, cinematic quality that recalls the golden age of Hollywood. The sweeping strings, gentle brass, and elegant woodwinds provide the perfect backdrop for Wileman’s voice — warm, expressive, and infused with a sincerity that feels deeply personal.

Wileman herself has said that one of her motivations for making the album was the surprising fact that Judy never recorded a full Christmas album. This project, she explains, was her chance to imagine what it might have sounded like to bring Garland’s magic to both timeless standards and more modern holiday favorites she never had a chance to sing.

That vision comes to life beautifully on the record’s rich and varied tracklist. Classics like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” evoke that quintessential Judy vulnerability and theatrical flair, while contemporary hits like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas” are reimagined through Garland’s lens; retaining their joyful familiarity but bathed in old-Hollywood elegance.

Some of the most touching moments are the duets. Wileman invites rock and roll legend Pat Boone to join her on “Little Drummer Boy – Peace on Earth”, and the contrast of his warm baritone with her soaring, Garland-like soprano is pure holiday magic. Then there’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, performed with Margaret O’Brien, an Oscar-winning actress who originally sang that very song with Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis. Their voices intertwine like decades of memory and love, making the track feel both nostalgic and profoundly moving.

But perhaps the most emotionally resonant gems on the album are the rarely heard songs penned by John Meyer: “After the Holidays” and “When Do the Words Come True.” Meyer, who was close to Garland, wrote “After the Holidays” for Jusy Garland even performed it on The Tonight Show, but it was never officially recorded — until now. Wileman, who had a friendship with Meyer before his passing, performs these songs with tenderness and deep respect. She explains that “When Do the Words Come True” was written on the very day of Garland’s funeral, a tribute to her, and to honor that legacy, Wileman recorded it as a way of preserving both his and Judy’s spirits.

One of the album’s crowning moments comes with the finale: "We Need a Little Christmas (Medley)". It channels Garland’s indefatigable hope and Wileman’s own playful sincerity. As Wileman reflects, “many of us are going through troubling times … Music can be so healing and helpful in bringing joy and cheer, which is what we all want at Christmas.” That sentiment feels woven into every string swell and vocal inflection, making the song feel like a warm embrace.

Moreover, the emotional range across the album is impressive. It’s not just about festive cheer: there are wistful, reflective moments, tender duets, and even a dreamy rendition of “It Only Happens When I Dance with You” that recalls Judy’s theatrical charm. The pacing is thoughtful, carrying listeners from sparkling opener to poignant close, without ever feeling repetitive.

Part of what makes Wileman’s work so extraordinary is her track record. Her previous album, I’m Still Here, released for what would have been Judy’s 100th birthday, was met with enthusiastic acclaim: critics praised her vocal control, emotional power, and uncanny ability to inhabit Garland’s style, all while making it her own.

Her dedicated fan base and her hundreds of thousands of online followers clearly resonate with her deep respect and love for Garland’s legacy.

A Christmas Garland is not only a spiritual continuation of that tribute, it’s a heartfelt holiday gift. Whether you’re a lifelong Judy Garland aficionado or discovering her through Wileman for the first time, this album offers something deeply special: the cozy nostalgia of Christmas, the theatrical richness of a classic MGM soundtrack, and the emotional honesty of a loving homage. It’s a project that feels both lovingly vintage and freshly conceived.

As the world embraces this season of lights, A Christmas Garland stands ready to be played softly on a winter evening, or louder for a festive gathering. It offers solace, sparkle, and a little bit of Garland’s timeless magic. In Debbie Wileman, we don’t just get a tribute artist; we get a torchbearer, reminding us of why Judy’s voice still matters and why Christmas, in its sweetest moments, deserves to be celebrated with heart, courage, and joy.