Does the world need a Steve Perry Christmas record? Beyond the shadow of any human doubt … no. It doesn’t.

His loyal fans–of which there are many–might think they need Perry’s new holiday record, cleverly titled The Season, which is fine.  There’s lots of ways to celebrate the holidays. If soft, perfunctory, joylessness is your thing, buy away.

The holidays and the accompanying music are supposed to be fun. They’re supposed to make your heart leap and want to love humankind, not doze off.

But here’s the thing: On paper, this record probably sounded like a great idea. Let’s see what happens when one of the few human beings so truly gifted with an absolutely golden voice takes on a collection of songs that make us remember our fondest memories and ensure, at least once a year, we’ll be nice to one another.

That should make it even worse. Because Steve Perry has a voice so beautiful it can, theoretically, make one believe Jesus was born without a biological father. But its expressiveness works against him when he just doesn’t seem to care. That seems to be the case on 30 to 40 percent of The Season.

But that voice … after a while, his soft jazz approach to Christmas music just starts to work you over, like a relentless massage eventually relaxing stubborn muscles.

The former Journey singer and Bay Area legend–he is, he deserves that much–kicks off his holiday effort with “The Christmas Song,” barebones with piano and a cadence that makes it lilt sideways at times (Dean Martin gets away with it, but it doesn’t work here). “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” just sort of exists, with a new part thrown in to fulfill one of the necessary criteria of cover records: Do it differently or do it better than anyone ever did. It’s soft, but not in a sparkly George Michael pining for last Christmas kind of soft.

Perry’s version of “Auld Lang Syne” couldn’t do less in terms of evoking the hope that accompanies a new year. “Winter Wonderland” is just gross, adult contemporary music barely fit for a department store elevator.

But Steve Perry begins sounding like he cares a bit on “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” He stretches his voice some and sounds natural for the first time on the record. Then on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” a few musicians/arrangers must’ve stopped by with a bottle of eggnog and got Perry loose (yes, he sounds like Sam Cooke, an apt comparison he’s been getting since the ’70s whether we like it or not).

Perry delivers a fine “Silver Bells,” though he doesn’t seem to care much about his timing and isn’t jazzy enough to use that as an excuse. But for the lovers of that voice, it won’t matter.

Perry’s holiday effort ends with a slightly disjointed and short “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Again, you can question the effort, but the voice is still there.

Follow music critic Tony Hicks at Twitter.com/TonyBaloney1967.