100 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!
Pre-order Good Ol' Fashioned Christmas CD here (Amazon UK)
You can't turn around without bumping into The Overtones lately. Sadly not literally - that would be amazing. "Oh sorry Mark, didn't see you there"; "Room for a little one, Lachie?" and so on. This, however, is a cause for celebration. They have proved that talent will take you the top in this industry without relying on reality tv, scandals in the press, sordid affairs and all that mucky business. It's merely 5 honey voiced guys who ooze with charm, wit, grace and dignity. And an arsenal of kick ass songs. It's these songs (both inventive interpretations of other peoples music as well as their own dazzling compositions) that have provided me (and thousands upon thousands of other fans) with hours of soul soothing magic and uplifting euphoric majesty. While the majority of the music is fitting to be played all year round, like me the lads have always had a special place in their heart for my most favourite of holidays - Christmas. They have a fair few festive songs in their discography already; they've teamed up to give Susan Boyle's Little Drummer Boy some beautiful backing vocals and resonant cadence; they've taken us on a white christmas sleigh ride at the most wonderful time of year; heck, they got all tied up in tinsel (very 50 shades) for OK Magazine! So colour me beyond ecstatic that yesterday my five favourite dudes announced that they are not only doing a Christmas Party themed tour (that promises to be an absolute hootenanny) but are also releasing an album whose title seems to bring them full circle: Good Ol' Fashioned Christmas...
I feel like I've been waiting for this (for the longest time) and my boys sure have delivered. It promises to be a collection of songs that will lift your seasonal spirits higher while injecting a little sweet soul music into the classics that you already know and love. The album cover is like a gift in itself, presenting as a beautifully wrapped present that knows you'll be loving the sound of what's contained within. It also happens to be one of those gifts that evokes memories of your childhood - you know, when you'd run downstairs on Christmas morning and know it was a big yellow teapot, a Chopper bike or that Boglin you'd been dying for because your parents had wrapped it in a way that gave away what was inside. Here, the cover simply and plainly conveys the mission statement of the album - that Darren, Lachie, Mark, Tim and Mike want to bring that pure, unfiltered, heartwarming sentiment of Christmas right into your living room and family/friends parties. They've detailed a list of songs (four of which we already know and love - whether these will be new versions or the existing recordings is unknown. I'm so in love with the existing versions - see below - that it would be hard to top perfection) which includes an original composition (the title track). So the countdown begins - November 27th can't come quickly enough. Oh and I'll see you lovely VIP-ers in Birmingham on 11th December :) Now what gifts shall I get the lads???
Here's a reminder of The Overtones Christmas songs we already adore...
White Christmas has a gorgeous, playful doo-wop beginning before the smoothly harmonised, Lachie crooned melody and backing vocals kick in. Actually I hesitate to say backing vocals because each contributing vocal by the boys is as essential to the track as the melody line - and this is a large part of the charm (and talent) of The Overtones. This certainly continues when Timmy takes over melody vocal detail and the song sparkles and glides like a gently falling, very beautiful snowflake. Winter Wonderland has beautifully slowed down tempo to intro the track before a horn infused, jingling bell instrumental picks up the tempo and the boys do what they are best at - creating an entirely fun and magnificent singalong song. Oh and loving the almost Beach Boys rockabilly middle 8 breakdown! BLISS! Sleigh Ride definitely stands out with a resonant intro from Lachie before launching into a finger clicking, string aided edition of one of the most joyous seasonal tunes around. And check out this performance - there are ties, cravats and bow ties, all too cute dance moves, leaning in with the microphone and a genuine impression that they are having the time of their lives. Absolutely magnificent :) Finally, there is The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. It's a sonically massive big band version with a production value that reminds me of classic hollywood movies (how handy for #SNATM!); their vocals imbued with a joy and love for their work that shines forth, and that gives the track it's gleeful nature.
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