THE ROCK AND COAL BREAKDOWN
SPILL MAGAZINE DISSECTS SOME OF THE BEST/WORST 2022 CHRISTMAS RELEASES (PART ONE)
Christmastime is here again, ainβt been around since you know whenβ¦.that means new Christmas music. This year, there seems to be a lot of old Christmas albums repackaged and resold. But that is OK, because Christmas is a time to look back and remember the Christmases past. Here are some new albums and singlesβ¦.Merry Christmas!
2022 CHRISTMAS ALBUMS
Vince Guaraldi Trio
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Fantasy/Craft
October 14, 2022
What words can you use? Classic? Iconic? This is the soundtrack for so many generations. Since 1965, Charlie Brown and his friends have brought home the meaning of Christmas and that show would not be the same without the wonderful jazz soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi. In fact Guaraldi has provided the soundtrack for all of the Charlie Brown specials and they are all wonderful. But the Christmas one is a bit different. The version of βO Tannenbaumβ or the choir at the end singing βHark! The Herald Angels Singβ add the festive flair to the otherwise jazz music. But of course, there is also βChristmastime Is Hereβ (both the vocal and instrumental), which are now part of the Christmas season and have been covered by a number of artists, but the original is best.
The new edition features a second CD of outtakes and demos. This CD is not really necessary but it is nice to have. It is nice to have a glimpse behind the curtain and we get to hear the creative process. βJingle Bellsβ is also included, which was never part of the original soundtrack, although it should have been. The outtake of βChristmastime Is Hereβ is charming and there is a lot to love about the two-disc set. But, whether it is the single or double disc, this is essential Christmas music. It is not just the soundtrack to a brilliant Christmas television show, but in many ways the soundtrack of our collective lives.
Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Victoria Bocelli
Matteo, Andrea, Victoria – A Family Christmas
Decca
October 21, 2022
This is classic Christmas music by one of the best vocalists alive today, Andrea Bocelli. He is also not a bad musician and music arranger. This is a classic Christmas collection, and destined to become a perennial favourite in years to come. This is a beautiful album full of Christmas cheer and carols. The versions are fairly straightforward and very faithful. The album opens with a lovely version of βDo You Hear What I Hearβ, which will not replace Bing Crosbyβs definitive version, but it will certainly gain a lot of fans.
Interestingly, the trioΒ have chosen some interesting songs that were not expected. Their version of John Lennon and Yoko Onoβs βHappy Xmas (War Is Over)β is one of the best covers of the song. They keep the emotion and beauty of the original while at the same time adding their own distinct flair. The other interesting addition is βWhen Christmas Comes To Townβ from The Polar Express. Here Victoria gets to show off a little and her voice is perfect for the song. Overall a surprisingly great album. It is what one expects with a few surprises thrown in for good measure.
Exile
Joyful Noise
Clearwater Records
November 7, 2022
Exile formed in 1963, but it took 10 years for them to get a record deal and release their debut album, Exile, in 1973. At this time they were a rock band and in 1978 they had a number one single βKiss You All Overβ. In the 1980s they crossed over into the world of country music and never looked back. This album, Joyful Noise, was actually released last year and has been reissued this year with no differences. But, here it is again, in case you missed it the first time around. But be warned, this is not an album of Christmas classics that one grew up enjoying.
This is an album of eight newly-penned songs by and for Exile. Longest standing member J.P. Pennington co-writes the whole album and draws upon the trademark Exile harmonies throughout the album. This is an album of fun, fun in the snow, exciting Christmas album that could serve, quite nicely, as the soundtrack to a Hallmark movie. The music is predictable but pleasant and fans of Exile will love these new songs. They save the best for last, with the title track, βJoyful Noiseβ closing out the album.
Louis Armstrong
Wishes You A Cool Yule
Verve
November 11, 2022
This may be hard to believe but Wishes You A Cool Yule is Louis Armstrongβs first official Christmas album. He has put out many Christmas songs/singles, but he never actually recorded an album of Christmas favourites. The fine folks at Verve have, very kindly and thoughtfully, brought a number of songs together to create this wonderful album. For fans of Armstrong, they will not need a formal introduction to his wonderful arrangements, but others may need some background. Armstrong came to the attention of jazz fans in the 1920s with his own distinct style of playing the clarinet and trumpet. His gravelly voice also stood out. He developed a large fan base, including Bing Crosby, who assisted in making him a household name early in his career.
This album is jammed full of wonderful songs. Besides his biggest hit, βWhat A Wonderful Wordβ, the album features the classic ββZat You, Santa Clausβ, which is just a perfect song. The question is, who exactly is Satchmo afraid of? It is a fantastic song. βWhite Christmasβ, βBaby, Itβs Cold Outsideβ and Ella Fitgerald joins him for βIβve Got My Love To Keep Me Warmβ. The album ends with a moving reading of A Visit From Saint Nicholas (The Night Before Christmas) by Clement Moore. It is apparently his last recording and it was recorded in his home. New music has been created to accompany him. It is the perfect way to end the album. Overall, a great Christmas album, hell, it is just a great album.
Norah Jones
I Dream Of Christmas (Deluxe)
Blue Note
October 21, 2022
What a difference a year makes. Last year, Norah Jones released her Christmas album, I Dream Of Christmas, which did very well for her. This year she has re-released the album with a bonus CD of new material, except a lot of the songs are not exactly new. One song on the second CD, βO Holy Nightβ was a bonus track for the Japanese release of the album, while βI Dream Of Christmasβ, βThe Christmas Waltzβ, βLast Month Of The Yearβ and βIβll Be Home For Christmasβ were part of the Amazon deluxe version. That leaves six new songs found in the βDeluxeβ package of the album.
Fans of the album will love her soulful, middle of the road take of these songs. And, I am sure they are already in love with the album. But, this new version includes the five songs noted above, as well as a rousing version of βRun Rudolph Runβ, recorded live at The Empire State Building as well as four other songs captured from that concert. Of these, the βBlue Christmasβ comes off very well as does an original by Jones, βChristmas Calling (Jolly Jonesβ). Jones has a great voice and the arrangements are wonderful. If you missed this album last year, now is the chance to pick it up with a lot of bonus material.
Neil Diamond
A Neil Diamond Christmas
Capitol/UMe
October 28, 2022
In the 1970s, when Neil Diamond was selling truck loads of albums and selling out concerts around the world, did anyone think that he would become βMr. ChristmasβΒ In 1992, when he released his first Christmas album (The Christmas Album), it was his first top ten album in ten years and became his biggest seller in 15 years. Of course, this led to three more Christmas albums over the years. The thing is, these albums are really good, brilliant in fact. Diamond stays faithful for the most part, but then does some cool things, like turning βWhite Christmasβ into a doo-wop song, or a reggae tinged version of βSanta Claus Is Coming To Townβ or re-recording his wonderful βYou Make It Feel Like Christmasβ and even writing a new song, βCherry Cherry Christmasβ in which he references some of his biggest hits.
A Neil Diamond Christmas is a compilation of those four Christmas albums. This is a brilliant idea. This has created a solid two disc set of the best of the best. Every track is solid and wonderful versions of classic Christmas music. Of course, working with producers like Peter Asher helps and the arrangements on the songs are quite stellar. Bing Crosby and Burl Ives do not need to worry that this album will replace their albums, but it should be in the same stack of Christmas albums.
Various Artists
Universal Music Canadaβs Holiday Songs Of HITmas Past
Universal Music
October 21, 2022
This is a compilation of new Christmas music designed to be playlisted and programmed in your systems for the ultimate hip Christmas party. This is clearly not marketed to anyone over the age of 30, as it is full of young artists taking on the classics. This is not a bad thing, in fact, it is a very coherent compilation that will for sure come in handy for those occasions when one would like some non-stop current Christmas music playing. No Bing, Nat King Cole,Β or Sinatra in sight. But instead, we have a nice mix of current country/country-pop and pop music. But the title also gives away the game. These are songs that have already been released and collected together in one handy package.
Keith Urban gives us βIβll Be Your Santa Tonightβ and Taylor Swiftβs now-classic βChristmas Tree Farmβ are included alongside the likes of Shawn Mendes (who duets with Camila Cabello) on 2020βs βThe Christmas Songβ which is pretty standard, The Arkells, Justin Bieber (with his version of βRockinβ Around The Christmas Treeβ a song previously only available on Amazon), Ryland James, John Legend and so many others. This will be a popular at Christmas parties this year.
Various Artists
True North & Stony Plain Records – Christmas Classics
True North/Stony Plain
November 18, 2022
Two iconic Canadian record labels join forces for a wonderful Christmas album. Most of the songs come from previously released Christmas albums or singles, but it is nice having them all in one place here. Bruce Cockburnβs βI Saw Three Shipsβ is, as one would expect, pretty damn perfect and he turns the song into a much more traditional song, while Mat Anderson provides a beautiful sparse, acoustic rendition of βLittle Toy Trainsβ. Also included is Randy Bachmanβs classic βTaking Care Of Christmasβ here to rock and roll your Christmas with the family.
There is one new song here, Taj Mahal and Maria Muldaurβs steamy cover of βBaby, Itβs Cold Outsideβ. It is brilliant to hear these two classic artists performing together. It is fun, and a great duet. Jimmy Rankinβs song is another highlight with his emotional and beautiful βTinsel Townβ, while Lunch At Allenβs βOld Tin Starβ (featuring Murray McLaughlin on lead vocals) does not leave a dry eye in the house. There are other brilliant artists (Colin James, Canadian Brass, Natalie McMaster & Donnell Leahy and David Clayton Thomas), which adds up to one of the best Christmas compilations to be released this Christmas season.
2022 CHRISTMAS SINGLES
David Foster & Katherine McPhee
βBlue Christmasβ
Loma Vista Recordings
November 25, 2022
David Foster is a renowned producer and has been producing and writing music for decades. He is a talented guy. That is why this song is a wee bit confusing. This version just does not work. In his arrangement he loses the beauty of the song and really doesnβt allow Katharine McPhee (his wife) to really soar with her vocals. It could have been much better, which is why this is more than a little disappointing.
Alex Exists
βNever Christmas Without Youβ
Popguru
November 18, 2022
You may recognize Alex Exists name from the band The Nursery. Here he embarks on a solo record for Christmas. This is just not my cup of tea. A grungy look at Christmas, with loads of grinding guitars, while at the same time trying to incorporate twang. To these ears it does not work and the end result the production and arrangement gets in the way of what may be a great song. But, I do think the song will have its fans and it is ideal for those less festive get togethers, or Christmas spent alone.
Kurt Vile and His Daughters
βMust Be Santaβ
Verve Records
November 18, 2022
Kurt Vile comes up with an interesting twist on the fun filled βMust Be Santaβ. Vile, and his daughters, take this energetic, fun song and tone it down to a much slower and almost dirge-like version. Yet, it works. It lacks the excitement of Bob Dylanβs version, but I think that is the point. In Vileβs hands, the song becomes much like a lecture or lesson. It is charming in its own way.
The Tribe & All-Star Friends
βThis Christmasβ
Independent
November 29, 2022
The Tribe is a collective of artists brought together to pay tribute to Donny Hathaway (who co-wrote the classic song), with all proceeds going to charity. The record includes Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Richard Marx, Melissa Manchester, Lamont Dozier Jr., Freda Payne, Frank McComb, and Florence LaRue. It is produced and arranged by Ken Stacey who is quite well known himself, having worked with Ambrosia, Michael Jackson and Elton John. Hathaway certainly captured the spirit of Christmas with the original and this group continues the tradition. It is a lovely tribute to a brilliant artist and song. Also it is a charity record.
Laufey
βThe Christmas Waltzβ
Laufey Music LLC
November 11, 2022
From Iceland, Laufey has made quite a name for herself since her debut album this year (Everything I Know About Love). Here she tackles a song made famous by Frank Sinatra and makes it her own. This is a wonderful recording and outstanding and fresh arrangement. It is just beautiful. The cold of a winterβs day and the warmth of a home comes through with every word she sings. This is a beautiful song.
Slady
βMerry Christmas Everybodyβ
Independent
December 1, 2022
The worldβs only all female Slade tribute band have released their first Christmas single and, of course, it is their cover of Sladeβs βMerry Christmas Everybodyβ. What is not to love? This is brilliant. And it is a charity record in memory of their manager and friend (Dave Kemp) who passed away in 2020. Even Slade endorses this band. It may not replace the original, but this faithful and energetic cover of the single is wonderful nonetheless.
Electric Youth
βMerry Christmas, Mr. Lawrenceβ
Milan Records
November 9, 2022
This is not so much a Christmas song, although it contains the word Christmas in the title. This is an interesting remake/remodel of the classic Ryuichi Sakamoto track from a tribute to the amazing artist, A Tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto – To the Moon and Back. Electric Youth capture the original tone of the song while at the same time adding their own textures and sounds. It is quite a good version and one that Sakamoto would love. It is a beautiful rendition with a lot of twists and turns. It is the theme from the film of the same name, and here Electric Youth incorporate a great deal of different sounds but maintain the beauty of the song. A brilliant accomplishment.
