Saturday, 26 November 2022

David Foster & Katharine McPhee - Christmas Songs


29 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream Christmas Songs here (external link)

I'll confess I first fell in love with the concept of a very David Foster Christmas when the legendary songwriter-producer released a seasonal selection of songs back in 1993. The Christmas Album bought together premium vocalists like Celine Dion, Vanessa Williams and (perhaps most notably) Natalie Cole (whose Grown Up Christmas List has become standard fare for holiday albums ever since). Nearly 30 years later, he's teamed up with pop-Broadway powerhouse (and wife) Katharine McPhee to deliver seven sparkling Christmas Songs that are guaranteed to make you feel merry and bright. It is also Katharine's second festive foray (after 2010's Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You); the magic of both individual albums is combined here to gift listeners with something a little extra special...
  • Jingle Bell Rock ~ an opulent big band introduction gives way to a more laid back, sophisticated cabaret affair; an environment which makes Katharine's vocal seem all the more intimate. There are still the exhilaration of horn blasts and some glorious playful piano that bring the galloping fun factor to the song. A festabulous opening that well have you grabbing the one you love and shimmying the night away.
  • Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer ~ the stripped back opening sets the scene with Katharine a gifted narrator of this story; the subtlety of the first few bars enables the listener to feel the isolation of the world's most famous reindeer before the explosion of a wall of sound conveys the sheer joy of being given a chance in life. And who can't relate to that? What my mum would call "a right bobby dazzler of a version"!
  • Grown Up Christmas List ~ lovely lilting piano and Katharine's expressive voice combine to deliver a knock out punch of a performance. David must know this song so well and his love of the content shines through in each nuanced note. There is no need to belt it to the rafters for it to have the emotional impact it does - just the passion and sincerity poured into each moment. Not so much telling the listener how to feel but letting them feel each sentiment along the way.
  • Blue Christmas ~ shuffling percussion and sweeping strings swathe Katharine's wistful voice in elegiac yet melodic beauty; so compelling that it feels like a soliloquy in some magnificent festive Broadway musical yet to be written. Ms McPhee bends each note to her will and the extended instrumental moments really let the song breathe - like a dance between vocalist and instrumentalist to ease away the sorrow of the poetic words.
  • Santa Claus Is Coming To Town ~ time to kick up your heels because this hand-clap, bell chiming boogie will make you glad from head to mistletoe. As with this whole album, the band is as essential to the narrative as Katharine is. David's production of their score adds an aura of bluesy anticipation - a genuine celebration that leaves you feeling joyful and triumphant. And really, is there a better combination than that at the most wonderful time of year?
  • I'll Be Home For Christmas (ft Chris Botti) ~ have you ever listened to a song and thought that the people singing it are doing so, not so much because they believe the wish fulfilment of the lyrics will happen but because it hurts too much not too? This is one of those exquisite moments and the duet with Chris' soulful trumpet makes it a timeless classic, traversing the skiesto a place where maybe the "only in my dreams" will come true.
  • The Christmas Song ~ a glittering bauble of a production where every note is savoured, every gap filled by the music meticulously thought out yet never feeling clinical. It flows with the enchantment of the season, a serene performance that is indicative of everything you have listened to so far. A dreamy finale that makes you want to return to the start and experience these Christmas Songs all over again.
**Ghosts of Christmas past**
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