Friday, 13 November 2020

Delta Goodrem - Only Santa Knows


42 DAYS (6 WEEKS) UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream Only Santa Knows here (external link)

To quote Emma Thompson's character in Love Actually, well gosh, this is a surprise. Whilst busy feasting on the four singles Delta Goodrem has released in 2020, she sneakily put a whole new Christmas album out - full of Delta takes on classic songs as well as adding a few new compositions of her own. Ms Goodrem says the purpose of Only Santa Knows is to bring joy and put us all in good spirits - and it absolutely achieves that. From the glorious title track to palling around with Olivia Newton-John, each song breathes the magic of the season and it is an infectious charm that will linger way past New Year's Eve. One might say it is a, ahem, Solid Gold, collection that builds on the effortless sparkle of her 2012 EP, Christmas. It is a beacon of shining light in a dismal year (plus the gorgeous cover art alone makes me yearn for a vinyl edition next year please). Here are just a few of the highlights...
  • Only Santa Knows ~ after a ravishing intro via a beautifully textured Carol Of The Bells, Delta brings the season into full focus with the first original track. The singer channels full on ABBA Christmas with this opulent, layered anthem, powered by sweeping strings, keyboard riffs and a choir of voices elevating Delta's sweet as sugar vocal. It is as charming as it is dramatic, as addictive is at is mesmerising. The crescendos happen in all the right places, leaving you tingling from head to (mistle)toe...
  • Little Drummer Boy ~ piano and percussion intertwine around Delta's expressive voice on this delightful take on the much-performed Christmas carol. A key change before the second verse and introduction of that wondrous choir makes this feel like the best carol concert you have ever been to. Every verse heightens the majesty of the lyrics until it culminates in a huge, expansive finale as infinite as the night sky...
  • Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas ~ carolling continues on the Judy Garland standard from the timeless movie, Meet Me In St Louis. Having the textured voices introduce the well-worn lyrics is a lovely effect - it emphasises the power and passion of Delta's vocal when she delivers the palpable melancholy of those aching words. With mellifluous melisma, it is like she is singing away the trauma of 2020 and ushering in a better tomorrow. Now that's a wish I can believe in...
  • Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer ~ Delta as story teller is the most musical Jackanory you could hope for. Turning the gleeful romp of the world's most famous reindeer into a pulsing pop performance works wonders and adds an aura of seriousness, giving the tale some gravitas. Amidst this, though, Delta never loses the sense of whimsy and playfulness that makes people across the world kick up their heels and sing along. That rockin' breakdown in the middle 8 is electrifying!
  • River ~ one can never go round with Joni Mitchell, so I'll paraphrase rather than quote Love Actually; she taught this cold English bloke how to feel. River is one of Ms Mitchell's finest and it is in eminently safe hands with Delta. A lush, piano driven ballad full of poignant singing, it is the symbiotic nature between voice and instrument that really brings the pathos out of those evergreen, poetic words. It flows as beautifully as the most glistening titular body of water...
  • Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree ~ bringing Brenda Lee realness, Delta jumps the broomstick for this exhilarating party romp that will help any party get going. Girl group-esque harmonies make this feel like it has traversed the passages of time - while the call and response refrain accentuates the convivial sing-along festivities of the song. 
  • White Christmas ~ adding guitar to the shimmering classic might feel like sacrilege but it actually works really well. With the lilting piano refrain and choral harmonies, Delta's voice soars along the slide guitar but what works really well about the song is she knows when to imbue the words with powerful energy but also when to hold back like that delicate final few notes. 
  • Santa Claus Is Coming To Town ~ is there anything more thrilling than the build up to Christmas? I would fiercely argue that, no, there is not. Delta captures all that excitement on this cheeky interpretation, conveying that frisson of anticipation we all get - whether we be kids or fully fledged adults. Buoyant chords make you want to bop along with unfettered glee so grab the one you love and shimmy.
  • Deck The Halls ~ an unspoken theme of the Only Santa Knows album is how Delta makes it feel like you are surrounded by friends and family (even though you may be separated from them). The harmonies and intimate solos elicit memories from bustling Christmases gone by. This slowed down version of Deck The Halls makes it sound like a contemporary hymn and you can tell Delta savours every word.
  • Grown Up Christmas List - the modern day classic gets an acoustic makeover and it feels like it is a personal present to oft-collaborator, producer Steve Anderson who adores this song. The stripped back arrangement lets the optimistic lyrics shine like the brightest star in the sky. Delta's earnest vocal is nothing short of mesmerising; and although there is a tinge of sadness that this is still relevant in 2020, it is no less a fervent prayer than Natalie Cole or Amy Grant...
  • Silent Night (ft Gurrumul) ~ this actually featured on a 2014 Christmas compilation but doesn't feel at all dated or out of place as part of the final moments of this album. An elegiac instrumental and the wordless vocals of the introduction are just as captivating as the reverent and respectful singing Delta offers up. Two of Australia's most important artists are in symbiotic harmony and it is joyous to behold...
  • Merry Christmas To You (ft Olivia Newton-John) ~ talking of two of Australia's most important artists, the album closes as it opened - with an original song and Delta invites Olivia along to join her on this engaging, tender ballad. I can't deny you get goosebumps when Olivia starts singing - and individually they are both stellar, but together their voices are pure sparkle and shine. The lyrics are heartfelt and that is true for the production. Exactly the type of song that used to nestle at the top of the UK charts when the race for the Christmas number one started - and this deserves no less success.
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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