Saturday, 28 October 2023

Seth MacFarlane & Liz Gillies - We Wish You The Merriest


58 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy We Wish You The Merriest here (external link)

This will be the tenth Christmas I have been playing Seth MacFarlane's Holiday for Swing album - a holiday opus so saturated in the inspirations of the singers my Dad adores that it has been a family unifying album for a decade. How thrilling that Seth is back for some Yuletide cheer via his new album We Wish You The Merriest - and this time, he is joined by the delightful Liz Gillies (who has kept me gasping for five seasons on the latest iteration of Dynasty). It is partnership more potent than egg and nog; mistletoey than Mariah and Carey; and more joyful and triumphant than the first two Home Alones played back to back on Christmas Eve. Across thirteen impeccably performed songs, you get thrills, chills and a healthy dose of Christmas cheer. Pour yourself a glass of something merry and dive right in.

The album opens with Happy Holidays; Seth and Liz's timeless vocals seem to traverse the passage of the years, bringing old school Hollywood sound stage opulence to their spirited performance. The whistling moments bring a movie atmosphere into your speakers while the first time you hear the duo's voices combine is a giddy thrill. Frosty the Snowman is a playful the romp with a frisky score that dances around those charming vocals and witty ad-libs. The instrumental continues to paint the picture started by the broad brush strokes of their voices. Here Comes Santa Claus is equally as whimsical in its vision and execution - like a modern Doris Day and Bing Crosby, the anticipation for the big day is built through the enthusiasm in their performance as well as the exuberant score.

I always feel that Sleigh Ride should sound like the titular journey it is about - and Liz and Seth do a grand job in making sure that happens. A luxuriously relaxed pace enables the duo to savour every word whilst placing the listener in the midst of the winter wonderland they glide through. Its as if Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer is pulling that sleigh, and that's another song presented - and, as if you hadn't worked it out by now, a great example of how the orchestra are in perfect, cheerful harmony with Liz and Seth. As effervescent as a glass of Buck's Fizz on Christmas Eve. But, as on The Christmas Song, when the pace slows down, it is just as mesmerising an experience. It takes me back to the TV specials I used to watch with my family, somewhat completely out of time but full of emotion and heart. It gives you That Holiday Feeling (mostly because their chemistry on songs like That Holiday Feeling is so effortless and natural, you can't help but be smitten by it). 

Winter Wonderland has a theatrical introduction to it, like it forms part of some yet-to-be-written musical Act 2; the elegance and grace of the extended opening bars continue through the song. Our intrepid twosome are clearly savouring every note they sing, sharing the joy of performance with the listener. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas takes the Judy Garland evergreen from Meet Me in St Louis and extends music's most hopeful invitation to us all. Seth's voice is so resonant and stoic while Liz knows how to bend each note to her will. It certainly is a dazzling combination. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town brings along the big brass band for a rollicking knees up that will make you merry and bright, despite the throng of shoppers bustling past you when it blasts over Macy's speakers.

You can't have an album without chiming bells and Christmas All Over The World provides that with joyous refrain. Hearing about holidays around the world already makes it more inclusive than your average Hallmark movie, so take note and get your pitch perfect pronunciation ready. It's educational. A Holly Jolly Christmas starts to bring the album to a close. The extended instrumental moments in these songs really are the gift that are worth unwrapping - bringing the songs to life in a different type of way. They've really immersed themselves in the classics for this album and kept that vision from start to finish. And finish it must - the album's title track, We Wish You The Merriest, is a fine finale. It's the exhilarating end to a party that has kept you captivated from start to finish. Joyful AND triumphant!

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