2 MORE SLEEPS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!
Discover my top 10 albums of 2023 here
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Discover my top 10 albums of 2021 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2020 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2019 here
This is the 11th holiday season that I have spent 60 days (since October 26th) scouring the furthest reaches of the North Pole for brand new Christmas songs, EPs and albums to comment on, luxuriate in and share with fellow Santa-philes like myself. I always start the season wondering whether there will be enough content to keep me delighted on a daily basis; I've not been disappointed yet - but one thing that struck me this year was the diversity of albums on offer. All different facets of musical genres were explored, all with the goal of bringing some holiday cheer. All I featured on this site are marvellous, but here are some of my favourites...
10. Ben Folds ~ Sleigher: I get a tingling thrill that runs through me from head to (mistle)toe when someone finds a new way to approach the Great Holiday Songbook. That is exactly what Ben Folds has done on his first seasonal offering, Sleigher. Initially setting out to be a curator of cool, lesser known Christmas songs, the creative muse of Santa flowed through Ben and Sleigher became mostly Ben originals. As you might expect, they encapsulate his skill for wry observations and wit in music, matched with very merry music and hooks as delicious as egg-nog fro-yo.
Best original? We Could Have This (featuring Lindsey Kraft)
Best cover? The Christmas Song
09. Chapel Hart ~ Hartfelt Family Christmas: Danica, Devyn and Trea have come over all seasonal on their latest album - Hartfelt Family Christmas sees them gift wrapping your favourite traditional holiday playlist in exhilarating new productions, sneaking in a few originals into your stocking and inviting along their chosen family (guest stars galore) for the (sleigh/slay) ride. It encompasses all the emotions that come at the most wonderful time of the year - and rather than telling you how you should feel, just finds the right way to feel those sentiments right alongside you.
Best original? Come On Santa (Ready for Christmas)
Best cover? Silver Bells (featuring Vince Gill)
08. Lola Violet ~ Magic in the Season: Lola Violet has put together her own take on the Yuletide via her new album, Magic in the Season. Ten original compositions take you on a journey through all the wintry emotions you feel every year and bring them to life through heartfelt and sparkling scores. It is a labour of love with just enough musical familiarity that its like greeting an old friend after years apart - but also finding out all the great adventures they've had in your time apart. Play loud, play often and then go tell everyone you've ever met about the Magic in the Season!
Best original? You;re My Christmas Wish
Best original 2? (no covers so opting for) I Can't Stop Carolling
07. Kristian Noel Pedersen ~ Saul McCartney's Holiday Party: This year, Kristian completes the trilogy of the story of Saul McCartney whose quest to make a proper Christmas album is bought to its thrilling conclusion. That’s not to say there aren’t twists and turns along the way, but they are all draped in Kristian’s ability to concoct delectable hooks, sumptuous scores and mesmerising heartfelt moments. If you are new to his Christmas crooning then do yourself a favour – immerse yourself in his mellifluous world where you'll find an extensive back catalogue of gorgeous original winter songs.
Best original? Silver, Never Gold
Best original 2? (no covers so optng for) Christmas Isn't Christmas Without You
06. Amanda McBroom ~ Wintersong: If you recognise the name Amanda McBroom you'll be aware she is music royalty. She not only wrote The Rose (Bette Midler) but also featured on the underrated Heartbeats cast recording (I do love a rare cast recording). Amanda is unwrapping her inaugural Christmas album via Wintersong and it is a shimmering work of beauty. There's a stately elegance to the songs, drenched in delectable piano arrangements, lush orchestration and her expressive, theatrical vocal that brings the many musical tales to life.
Best original? All About Love
Best cover? Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
05. Dan + Shay ~ It's Officially Christmas: When the press release touts that this double CD/Vinyl album has been a decade in the making, they ain't wrong. I first wrote about a Dan + Shay Christmas song in the very first year of this website back in 2013. One side of the opus brings together all their insightful covers of the great holiday songbook; the other are all Dan Smyers & Shay Mooney originals. The whole album of 21 tracks is a real gift - joyful AND triumphant from start to finish. Add to your festive playlist for this year - and many to come!
Best original? It's Officially Christmas
Best cover? It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
04. Brett Eldredge ~ Merry Christmas (Welcome To The Family): If you can feel a warm cosy GLOW settling over your winter music playlist, it is most likely because MR. CHRISTMAS himself, Brett Eldredge, is returning this season with his third seasonal set - Merry Christmas (Welcome To The Family). The album was inspired his own family traditions and those halycon day memories of Christmases gone by and, with production by Ian Miller, puts Brett's lush vocal tones against a backdrop of country music drenched, festive tinged soundscapes. All orginal compositions, this has lyrics designed to have you wax nostalgic about your own family festive romps.
Best original? It Must Be Christmas
Best original 2? Sweet December (featuring Kelly Clarkson)
03. Clay Aiken ~ Christmas Bells Are Ringing: 20 years after his inaugural Christmas album, Merry Christmas With Love, Clay Aiken has returned to the North Pole to unwrap a new opus of holiday songs. It is quite the gift as this is also Clay's first studio album in over a decade - and what a long player it is. He celebrates the jolliest time of year by teaming up with Grammy winning producer Ron Fair - and their collaboration gives each of the songs a candle glow which makes the music sparkle a little bit brighter. There's a carefully selected cornucopia of tunes from The Great Holiday Songbook, plus some surprises that are given a little tinsel and mistletoe to make them all the more festive.
Best original? All Year Long
Best cover? Do You Hear What I Hear
02. Jessica Vosk ~ Sleigh: How thrilling that Broadway star Jessica Vosk has what I can only hope is her first inaugural Christmas album out this year. As well as performing as Elphaba in Wicked, Jessica was the original Aunt Val in the musical Becoming Nancy during its Alanta run (its just charmed the pants off us Brits with its UK debut this winter) - two roles which endear her to me enormously and therefore had me rushing to check out her new seasonal opus Sleigh. Across 13 tracks (but slightly more songs thanks to inventive medleys), Jessica explores the emotions of the holidays with her expressive voice making them feel fresh and invigorating all over again
Best original? Christmas Is Only Moments Away (featuring Scott Hoying0
Best cover? Last Christmas
01. Alicia Witt ~ I Think I'm Spending Christmas With You: I've fallen in love with a lot of Alicia Witt music because I discovered her song (and movie) I'm Not Ready For Christmas. The singer-songwriter-actress-producer-all round good egg has uplifted and soothed me just when I needed it so, as Christmas is my favourite time of year, I'm delighted that this year Ms Witt has put out a whole album of festive fare for me to feast upon. I Think I'm Spending Christmas With You brings together new songs with some lifted from the Great Holiday Songbook, yet all delivered with charm, heart and flair. If I had a crystal ball, I would guess that this Christmas Miracle of an album would ensure that Christmas Will Never End for many many seasons to come!
Best original? Weird Time Of Year
Best cover? O Holy Night
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