Friday, 19 December 2025

Yannick Bovy - A Swinging Christmas (Live)


1 WEEK UNTIL BOXING DAY!!

Stream A Swinging Christmas (Live) here (Spotify)

I've written about Yannick Bovy's Christmas crooning songs many times on this very day over the years (see Ghosts of Christmas Past at the bottom of this review); last time I put pen to paper was just two years ago with his carming take on Happy New Year Old Friend. At the end of that review, I noted I really needed to experience A Swinging Christmas Live - well, sadly that hasn't happened but this year I get the next best thing! A recorded EP of songs from one of his live shows that includes some old favourites by him as well as new interpretations of songs from The Great Christmas Songbook. As always, presented with lavish flair and Rat Pack radiance - these are songs that are guaranteed to make your spirits bright...
  • Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow ~ Yannick has such a natural affinity with this style of music that you can feel his warmth and affection for the genre shine through with each word he sings. Surrounded by a band who deliver a vibrant score, his voice is an expressive treat as he lets the listener feel all the romance of the lyrics. The elegant strings dance as brightly as the lights on your Christmas tree. It may only be two minutes, but it is two minutes of festive magic that makes you want to grab the one you love and shimmy.
  • It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year ~ Mr Bovy does Andy Williams proud with this vibrant version of the seasonal standard. The piano accompaniment is as intricate as the most ornate snowflake, twirling around the exuberant vocal to enhance the enthusiasm and charm of Yannick's delivery. He really does make you feel the sentiments of the titular refrain - still suave and smooth, but with all the wide eyed wonder of a kid seeing snow for the very first time. 
  • It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas ~ the enchantment continues as Yannick conjures up more musical alchemy with this Perry Como evergreen. He delivers a more laid back, luxurious vibe so you can savour every word, letting his singing paint a picture in your mind's eye. His lower register really is quite delightful, while the music unwraps some swaying, finger click elegance. Like a radio broadcast traversing the timelines from the 40s, yet still quaintly charming.
  • Grown Up Christmas List ~ the David Foster composition first featured Natalie Cole but is perhaps best well known through the Amy Grant version from a few years later. This achingly exquisite wish is a solemn plea that Yannick performs with an aching need. It is not only a soothing balm for the chaos of an oft commercial season but also a poignant, graceful reminder that we all need to do a bit better in this mixed up earth of ours. Serenity personified in a song.
  • If Only For Christmas Time ~ Yannick's own Christmas song stands shoulder to shoulder with the classics. He sings of how love can blossom during the chilliest of seasons - and he'll take the rewards of this gift even if the glittering majesty of it all fades by new year. This new twist on a holiday romance is steeped in a peppy big band wall of sound. With a hook that is merry and bright, it is instantly memorable and effortlessly timeless. Makes you glad from head to (mistletoe). Cheers!
  • Holly Jolly Christmas ~ the country music staple becomes a playful romp in Yannick's more than capable hands. A strumming guitar and decorous piano work together to craft some toe tapping wizardry, like reindeer hooves landing on the roof. Mr Bovy sounds in his element singing such a fun song and you'll definitely want to ho-ho-ho-down in the kick-up-your-heels middle eight. The party has started, it's a convivial atmosphere so everyone's welcome to join in for that final, euphoric refrain. Aces.
**Ghosts of Christmas past**
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