28 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!
Buy Christmas Together here (Amazon UK)
Read my review of Garth's latest album, Gunslinger, here (MyFizzyPop)
Garth Brooks was my introduction to country music. Growing up it wasn't as prevalent a genre in the UK as it is in the USA but my devotion to getting Billboard Magazine every week meant that I couldn't not pay attention to Garth's record breaking sales figures and, on a whim, tracked down an import copy of No Fences. I was smitten - it opened up a whole new musical world for me and I have remained a Garth fan ever since (UK folk not aware of him - he's like the Robbie Williams of the country music world). I was lucky enough to see him play in Vegas and have remained particularly devoted to his previous Christmas collections, Beyond The Season, The Magic of Christmas and Call Me Claus. I was particularly excited, therefore, to learn that he has teamed up with his wife of 11 years - the incomparable Trisha Yearwood - to craft a new album of seasonal splendour in the form of Christmas Together. It is neither your typical duets album, nor your typical Christmas album. There are some solo numbers and some duet numbers, though Garth and Trisha both infuse each other's moment in the spotlight with backing vocals that accentuate the musical narrative. There are some traditional Christmas numbers and some new insights to the season that stand shoulder to shoulder with the indelible classics. Overall, it is an exhilarating journey that leaves you feeling sparkly from head to toe, like the most festive of trees twinkling with holiday magic.
It begins with an effusive duet, I'm Beginning To See The Light. With a rollicking instrumental that is infused with giddy guitar, invigorating horns and a galloping percussion, Garth and Trish sing of embracing all the romantic cliches of togetherness thanks to finding the right person to share them with. It is not necessarily a Christmas song, but the swirling strings and ebullient nature of the lyrics means it feels like the type of song that will get your Christmas party going with a swing (but also a track you can listen to, guilt free, all year round). It is a joyful start to the album, a song that gives the listener an exciting sense of anticipation for what is to follow. Garth is up next with Ugly Christmas Sweater. He's always been a masterful narrator of musical stories and here he is at his finest. It is all jingle bell rock with playful piano and mischievous electric guitar as he sings of the delights of seeing "a beautiful girl in an ugly Christmas sweater". His backing vocalists add a convivial charm to the track, whilst the "ho ho ho"s enhance the aura of this being a communal singalong. It is as addictive as a the most delicious egg nog and twice as satisfying - the type of irrepressible refrain you'll be singing long after the lights come off the tree. Trish is solo next to give an enticing seduction to Santa Baby - giving it perhaps one of the classiest vocals I've heard attached to this song for a long time. Sure, she gives it the coquettish nature the lyrics demand (and listener expects) but imbues it with a maturity of a woman who knows what she wants without compromising her integrity. A trumpet takes pride of place in the middle 8, adding an unexpected frisson of surprise to the track and really allowing the song to breathe. A guitar teasing Joy To The World ushers the salsa fiesta atmosphere of Feliz Navidad with authentic Mexican vocals that Garth enthusiastically joins in with, embracing all cultures and creeds as he lets the message of "I wanna wish you a merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart" infuse his singing with a euphoric sense of sincerity that is all too hard to resist.
I've always found What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? a song that beautifully marries the melancholy of the season with the glimmer of hope it also brings. Trish is gloriously adept at accentuating both emotions with an elegant grace. Her voice dances with mellifluous ease around the stately score, ensuring this is one of the most heartbreaking invitations you'll hear this year. I like to think that the duet of Marshmallow World is a sure fire indicator that the invitation was accepted and happy coupledom ensued. Once again, Garth and Trish prove their undeniable chemistry, an aural throwback to the wonderful MGM musicals of the 40s and 50s given a contemporary makeover. They create a compelling vibe of kick-up-your-heels-with-uninhibited-joy that has the listener singing and skipping along with unabashed glee. Sure, our voices don't blend into the song as well as Garth and Trish do but it feels good to just give it a (holly) jolly good try, doesn't it?! Merry Christmas Means I Love You is a cantering sleigh ride of a track that sees Garth bring to life all the wonderful things that demonstrate that this time of year is a reminder that love - all love, regardless of colour, creed and orientation - is worthy of a soaring celebration. Set to a catchy instrumental with equally spirit-lifting lyrics, delivered with heart and soul by Mr Brooks. Trish is more prominent in the backing vocals here, bringing a serene warming quality to the song that, in an oft-conflicted world, seems to a timely reminder that love, kind hearts and goodness will always win out. You easily lose yourself in the song, a three and a bit magical minute journey where anything and everything seems possible. The trick is to keep that feeling all year round. Hard Candy Christmas is a reminder of how to do that. Now, rather criminally, I only discovered this song last year when I heard it on the Cyndi Lauper country album. Trisha brings just the right amount of world weariness to the song while injecting it with an indomitable fighting spirit that gives it real earnest glow. I love the way the choir joins in on the chorus, as if representing all the people listening who have had their own battles throughout the year but, as Trish sings with such aching precision, "who won't let sorrow bring them down". It'll tug at your heart strings and then send you a shot of optimism that is like the brightest star shining in the star. Masterfully done.
Of course it is back together for the flirtatious dance known as Baby, It's Cold Outside. A tinkling piano (complete with some charming instrumental ad-libs) joins the couple in the melodious discussion that really has only one inevitable conclusion. I like that this feels like it is part of date night for the couple - a coy, playing way to get to the fun part of the evening. Trish is a glittering foil for Garth's raconteur pleadings (displaying particularly strong will when he sings "put some records on while I pour"; a knee weakening moment that will have you swooning). It may be a tale as old as time, but it is deliciously fresh here. The Man With The Bag has Trish wrapping the magic of the season in an invigorating hug that brings a vibrant vitality to the song - leaving the listener a willing companion in her intoxicating expectancy of the big day. The big band setting works wonders, building a textured wave of sound that is as glorious as Trish's own vocals. And then the album comes to an all too soon end - but leaves you with something to treasure all year round. Featuring James Taylor, What I'm Thankful For (The Thanksgiving Song) is a lyrical list of all the things that we should be appreciating (rather than the commercial tug of the season). James and Garth's voices blend together like honey into hot chocolate and their reflections and ruminations plant a seed of cheer in your heart that will grow all year round. It wraps an album that is a gift to the listener and will be a favourite for many years to come. Just delightful from start to finish.
Ghosts of Christmas past**
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