The New Mickey Mouse Club - Why? Because It's Christmas

4 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream Why? Because It's Christmas here (external link)

Revisit my anniversary celebration of all The Party albums here (onthisdayinpop)

Why? Because this might be the most marvellous reunion we get for A Very Pandemic Christmas 2020, that's why! The original cast members of 80s/90s phenomenon, The Mickey Mouse Club, have all come together to for The All New Mickey Mouse Club - and, even better, decided to invite us all to their joyful carol concert in the form of a brand new Holiday album, Why? Because It's Christmas. It is the party that you want to attend - not least because all your old favourites are here, but because the whole project resonantes with a love and affection that is entirely contagious. Across a whopping yet completely satisfying 14 tracks (plus a poem, a monologue and an interlude), the gang take on seasonal favourites and make them sound delightful and fresh all over again. They are sometimes solemn, sometimes reflective but always merry and bright. Like a hug from a friend you haven't seen for years, this collection will boost your spirits as well and keep you smiling until New Year. A new perennial favourite to soundtrack all your future memories...

• Go Tell It On The Mountain ~ the entire cast get to introduce the album with this rousing take on the gospel classic. They are in fine vocal fettle with lush harmonies and soaring solo moments. Truly radiant piano shines alongside the voices and hand clap vibe; the thing that sparkles most is the joy of performing this uplifting classic. 
• Angel From The Realms of Glory ~ Raquel Herring takes the solo on this vibrant version of the celebratory carol. Her voice is crystalline clear, surrounded by celestial backing harmonies and a peppy sleigh ride of a percussion. She manages to be both respectful yet make it sound like a glorious acoustic top 40 chart hit at the same time.
• Birthday Of A King ~ Deedee Magno-Hall delivers the album's first ballad and it is so mesmerising that the woes of the world around you seem to melt away as she sings. Her voice is beautifully reverent, working in symbiotic partnership with the keyboard accompaniment. She savours every single word, ensuring it lingers long after the music fades.
• Away In A Manger ~ after an adorable interlude with his daughter, Chasen Hampton shows what an adept story-teller he is. With just a guitar during the first verse, he gives a soft, tender take on the greatest story ever told. As the violin is added, it adds to the sense of serene calm Chasen conveys just with the charming intonation in his voice.
• O Come All Ye Faithful ~ what I love about Rhona Bennet's singing on this song is that she doesn't feel the need to belt it out to the rafters to be emphatic and powerful; she bends every note to her will and infuses it exactly the right amount of emotion needed to be equally as effective. The riff on the final chorus is a theatrical treat. 
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen ~ Tony Lucca and Jason Carson weave their voices together like whipped cream melting into hot chocolate and it is a wonder to behold. It is a anthem in waiting, with walls of instrumental sound crashing in, giving you actual goosebumps - yet their blissful voices hold it all together with euphoric glory. 
• What Child Is This? ~ Tony is back and shares a dignified performance with Nita Young; they both seem to take the responsibility of singing such awe-inspiring words and channel it through nuanced delivery that is enchanting. A key change and sweeping percussion accentuate the gracious, appreciative infusion of their vocals.
• O Come, O Come Emmanuel ~ Tasha Danner transports you to the most ornate, sturdy cathedral you have seen in Christmas movies and gives a performance that conjures up images of the Christmas eve sermon, surrounded by candles - her voice immersing the congregation in a transcendental aura of reflective praise. 
• The First Noel ~ David Kater is a soulful gift, wrapped up in a tender piano partner. His lower register and the climb into the falsetto show what an expressive singer he is and he pours every ounce of that into this engrossing production. He is so smooth with his melisma that he takes you on an actual journey with every note. 
• O Holy Night ~ I'm very protective of my favourite ever Christmas carol but it is in good hands with Deedee and Mylin. When the harmonies come in on the pivotal crescendo of "fall on your knees" it is a moment of living art. They take it to the heavenly finale with impeccable finesse, an intricate blend of voice and piano that Wilson Phillips would be proud of.
• Jolly Old Saint Nick ~ the first non-carol song is a delight. TJ Fantini performs with a sincere belief that eschews any cynicism, like a musical Miracle on 34th Street making you believe all over again. We could all use a little magic in our lives right now and TJ bestows that with his mellifluous tone and earnest melodic prose.
• O Little Town of Bethlehem ~  Lindsey Alley takes us back to that Christmas eve concert, stepping into the spotlight with this stripped back version. Her engaging voice is enthralling - and she uses the key change to really emphasise the eternal meaning of the words she is entrusted with singing. Quite delectable. 
• It Came Upon A Midnight Clear ~ with a piano introduction that uses minor keys, the opening of the song has venerating aura, like a Gregorian monk chant. Jennifer McGill carries the timeless melody into a sumptuous, textured score and her voice is a sonorous joy that makes you want to celebrate into the exhilarating finale right alongside her.
• Auld Lang Syne ~ Tony's back to deliver hope and happiness into a new year; something we all need to cling to in these gloomy times. Most people stop singing this at the first chorus but the full version is essential; Tony has clearly studied every word and makes it a timely tale, just him and his guitar (and that shimmering of backing vocalists).
• A Visit From St Nicholas ~ I'm 8 years old again and loving it! Marc Worden does a reading of the classic poem better known as The Night Before Christmas. Someone get this man an audio book deal (I can imagine him reading the Chronicles of Narnia) because his different voices and giddy enthusiasm for the text is blooming marvellous!
•  What Christmas Means To Me ~ the album closes with Tony Lucca on piano and Nikki DeLoach telling a really affecting and poignant story about her father, his illness and a little Christmas miracle. I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear - my mum has dementia and you learn to celebrate the tiny breakthroughs every chance you got. Absolutely heartfelt and gorgeous.

Ghosts of Christmas past**

• 27th November 2019 ~ The Overtones, Christmas EP
• 27th November 2019 ~ Gentri, Noel
• 27th November 2018 ~ Cast of Anastasia, Its Just Like Christmas Every Day
• 27th November 2017 ~ Cast of Anastasia, All Those Christmas Cliches
• 27th November 2016 ~ Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood, Together Again
• 27th November 2015 ~ The Overtones, Good Ol Fashioned Christmas
• 27th November 2014 ~ Pixie Lott, I Got Love For Christmas
• 27th November 2013 ~ L'il Chris, Christmas Number One