Thursday, 4 December 2025

Anthony Nunziata - Christmas & You


3 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream Christmas & You here (external link)

What a treat that over the past six years of Christmases, I've been able to write about new holiday music from Anthony Nunziata - and this year continues that tradition with a brand new album of original material from the gifted singer-songwriter. Some of my favourite new festive albums of this decade have featured new compositions for The Great Yuletide Songbook (Sarah Connor, Bjorn Skifs, Dennis Van Aarssen); Anthony seems destined to be in that future favourite Christmas oldies pile that you bring out each year to immerse yourself in nostalgia. If you're quick, you'll be able to catch Anthony singing these songs at his 17 date holiday tour - my only wish for Christmas is that he brings the show to England next year! But, if not, I'll be spinning the exquisite vinyl version of this again while I decorate the tree...
  • My Every Wish ~ the album starts with a rousing throwback to the halcyon days on the Motown era; Anthony ensuring he ends up on the nice list because all he wants for Christmas is to be with his loved one. Euphoric horn blasts punctuate a jubliant score, whilst gospel backing vocals send Anthony's ebulliently delivered message past seventh heaven to cloud nine. Joyful AND triumphant, this is one ridiculously catchy song that will linger in your brain until way after New Year's Day. Perfect that this was co-written (alongside Jane Bach) with Peter Bliss because this is a musical piece of bliss...
  • Snow Day Serenade ~ the vibes stay merry and bright on this ode to frolicking in nature's chilliest element. Anthony doesn't seem to mind at all - he's in giddy thrill mode as pulsing percussion, perky piano and gleeful guitar all ensconce his vocal in an instrumental as exhilarating as any wintry sleigh ride. Anthony's vocal soars on this song (even giving a bit of gritty rock'n'roll at one point), cementing his reputation for being a skilled raconteur of tales you want to hear over and over again. The weather outside may be frightful bu this is all sorts of delightful!
  • New York on New Year's Eve~ suddenly, you're in the most elegant of night clubs, enviaging Mr Nunziata suited and booted commanding the audience from a smoky stage. There's something so vivid and intimate about this performance that you can't help but feel you're in the same room. Imagery is strong in the descriptive lyrics, conjuring up a Google's Maps worth of pictures about the Big Apple on December 31st. And just when it couldn't be any more enchanting, there's a lilting piano moment with Auld Lang Syne infused into the beating heart of the song. 
  • Dreaming of Christmas ~ the album's first ballad is a modern day lullaby of a song, one that helps the oft chaotic, commercial nature of the holidays fade away so you can have a little soothing calm in your life. Theres something so pure and innocent about the way Anthony sings of his anticipation of the most wonderful time of the year. There's an engaging country music tinge to the production that wraps around you like the cosiest of blankets on the coldest of nights. Dreamily romantic, this twinkles with elegance like the most decadent of lights on the tree.
  • What Is It About Christmas? ~ Anthony continues the sentiments about what makes the season so spectacular if you can just embrace a little of the holiday spirit. It is a gather-round-the-fireplace melodic story that Anthony tells with mellifluous grace; he's the most able raconteur , infusing the tale with a little wonder and sparkle. When he sings (spoiler alert!) "it's all about love", you can't help but feel that love, actually, is all around you. For those familiar with Anthony's music, this will be no surprise - to those new to his sound, it's the most lovely holiday gift. 
  • The Miracle ~ the holidays aren't just about presents, Santa and families. The real meaning is, of course, about the birth of the Saviour child. This song is a new carol to add to a celestial pantheon of hymns that lets you sing of the wonders of the greatest story ever told. There's a reverence and humility to the singing, yet the music crescendos in all the right places to make this appropriately celebratory. Whether or not you are religious, you can't deny the impact of this song and you'll soon be singing glory to the new born king. 
  • Joy Is Coming In The Morning ~ a natural follow up to the previous song, this is a stately slower song about how the world just feels a different place at Christmas (even if it is just for twenty-four hours). The song has a beautiful, natural flow to it - the piano keeping the pace but sweet, textured vocals and an aura of peace that descends as the song reaches its melodious conclusion. A gem of a composition that is more optimistic and relaxing than any self-help book you might read.
  • Christmas With You ~ Anthony returns to the theme of togetherness as the big day draws near. He's serenading on this musical vow of a song, almost like some romantic realisation moment in a holiday stage musical that's yet to be written. If you end up melting, like cream into hot cocoa, then Anthony will have done his job because this is pure seduction set to song - yet performed with such heartfelt love that you can almost reach out and touch it. Indelibly a Christmas song but look, let's keep it between us that we'll really be playing this all the live long year in 2026...
  • Christmas Always Makes Me Cry ~ you would think this would be a melancholy tune about the sadder side of the season; but these are tears of happiness at the realisation of the love he has and has had in his life. It is set to a beautiful piano accompaniment whilst shuffling percussion dances alongside like the stars glittering in the crystalline night sky. Anthony sings with such gentle tenderness that it is clear he doesn't want to tell you how to feel - he also wants to share some of what he is feeling with the listener. Now you can't buy that at Macy's!
  • Fill My Stocking Up With Coal ~ it's a ho-ho-ho-down of a Christmas party on this honest declaration of how the holidays aren't always snowy landscapes and stuffed turkeys. You're all invited down to a Yuletide barbecue (as long as Santa drops off the fuel) in Texas (think the front porch of Southfork Ranch in Dallas; those oil barrens sure did love their outdoor food). With a fiddle as essential to the narrative as the witty words, this is a hand clap, feel-good convivial sing-along of a song. Anthony as a blackmailing naughty lister is oddly but satisfyingly appealing!
  • Mama's Little Angels ~ this stark, searing acoustic guitar-vocal duet gradually adds in other musical instument ingredients as Anthony tells the story of his memories of childhood. He conjures up evocative images, as if casting some musical alchemy spell that transports you into his reflections. It is haunting in all the best ways, a unfolding of a story that keeps you in rapt attention - demonstrating how quiet moments can be just as powerful as the big bombastic finish. Full admiration for Anthony sharing something that feels so personal yet is so poignant.
  • El Regaro Eres Tú (You Are The Gift) ~ proof that the language of Christmas, the language of peace on earth and good will to all men, and the essence of music transcends any barriers of understanding of a tongue you may not speak.  It's a Spanish anthem that demands you pay attention, Anthony's voice telling a tale that leaves you with goosebumps (particularly when his voice slides into a key change for the ages). The glorious final chorus shines like the guiding star on the very first Christmas Eve - a reaffirming story for generations to come. 
  • Heavenly Father ~ I haven't been to church in a while, but I'm enthralled by Anthony's sermon to the masses, an invocation of gratitude that is sung with such deference and devotion. The simple nature of the song belies the complexity of crafting something that venerates an Almighty being with respect. It's a fine finale to one of the year's best new albums - Anthony's faith itself being a wonder to behold. Perhap the finest song of its ilk since Garth Brooks sang about Unanswered Prayers...
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
at

No comments:

Post a Comment