Monday, 17 November 2025

Chris Mann - Santa, We're Ready


38 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Stream Santa, We're Ready here (Spotify)

I love that Chris Mann seems to revisit the holidays every six years or so! In 2013, fresh from his slot on The Voice, he released his Home For Christmas opus and then followed it six years later with his very own Christmas Jukebox. You can revisit that through the Ghosts of Christmas Past section at the bottom of this review. Now, six years has rolled around again and Chris is ready to declare Santa, We're Ready on a whole new EP of holiday songs. There's a glorious big band vibe to the music that uplifts, making this a joyful and triumphant experience from start to finish. Here's hoping he revisits the Great Holiday Songbook again in another six years (or even sooner if we're on the Nice List)!
  • Santa, We're Ready ~ Chris is making spirits bright from the get go with this effusive gem of an original song. The introductory bars feel like they are ushering in a contemporary new hymn before giving way to ding dong chimes and convivial call and response chanting chorus. Exuberant horns add to the anticipation of the lyrics whilst backing vocals add a lavish texture to this hand-clap, shake-and-shimmy romp. If you're singing loud for all to hear, there'll be no need for Santa to check his list twice - he'll know you're ready for Christmas to begin...
  • Let It Snow ~ one of the joys of my love for Christmas music is unwrapping how different artists tackle the great songs we all know and adore. This jazzy interpretation takes a laid back vibe, as if Chris has loosened his bow-tie, popped a collar and is singing of the blizzardy exterior from the warm cosy confines of the most intimate club. He's a seasoned crooner and the words are mellifluous poetry in his mouth. It's seductive and romantic, with each note dripping with the winking intent of the narrative. Let the north wind bluster and blow indeed...
  • The Christmas Song ~ this whole song feels luxurious; a vivid picture painted through the combination of elegant piano and sincerity of Chris' singing. It is very charming indeed, aided by the fact that it gives the impression that Chris feels honoured to be singing these timeless words. It is a different type of anticipation to Santa, We're Ready, but one no less tangible. It is performed with each note savoured - as smooth and satisfying as whipped cream melting into the most decadent of hot chocolate drinks.
  • Winter Wonderland ~ as much a soundtrack to artic conditions as it is a song about them.  There's a crisp peppiness to the the rhythmic grooves, mimicking the chilly breezes that accompany such weather. Equally the piano and horns havea warmth to them that could melt the most frozen of icicles right off the tree. I thoroughly enjoyed the playful nature of the song - not just in Chris' delivery but also how the pace changed in a subtle but effective way for different parts of the song. Plus a skat outro? Heaven.
  • O Christmas Tree ~ the EP comes to an all too soon close with a layered a cappella take on this vintage standard. The voices blend like chords on a church organ, hitting with as much beauty and gravitas as if coming from the most ornate of cathedrals. The vocals fill the space created by lack of instrument with a taut ingenuity that requires multiple listens to appreciate the complexity of the arrangements. Will make you glad from head to (mistle)toe - and have you hitting repeat to enjoy over and over again. Santa, we're most definitely ready.
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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