Music News - Christmas 2008

Christmas music is always a mixed bag. Some love it, some hate it. Kernowyouth looks at the various releases and repackagings for 2008...

Comedy for Christmas No 1???

There is always a race for the coveted Christmas No 1 single. In recent years it has been dominated by the winners from the TV show X Factor, but this year there are several comedians adding weight to some Christmas releases in the hope of breaking that trend.

The one which stands the best chance is Geraldine McQueen (Peter Kay)'s "Once Upon A Christmas Song"  4-track 2-disc [CD/DVD] single set. This Christmas single is the once again performed by 'Pop Factor' winner Geraldine [played by Kay] and is co-written by Peter Kay and Gary Barlow [Take That]; and will comprise of the single backed by 'The Winners Song' and 'Geraldine's Medley' – her interpretation of 'Born To Run', 'Born Free', 'Free Nelson Mandela', 'Umbrella' & 'C'Est La Vie!'; plus the DVD featuring the 'Once Upon A Christmas Song' video. The CD raises money for the NSPCC.

Comedian Les Dennis pops up on The Wombats "Is This Christmas?" Written and performed by The Wombats, 'Is This Christmas?' [produced with Stephen Harris] fully encapsulates The Wombats ethos of writing infectious, scuzzy indie-pop songs, served with an acid-wit that masks dark lyrical undertones of romantic despair and heartache. The CD includes live version of 'Little Miss Pipedream' & 'Lost In The Post' recorded during two of their huge London dates early in 2008.

Justin Hawkins, former frontman of The Darkness, who is still dry after treatment for alcohol & drug abuse, releases his Christmas offering on 15th December. The CD single from his latest band Hot Legs is called "I've met Jesus!" 'Has he?' wonders Kernowyouth.

In the USA teenage singing sensation Katelyn Tarver has just released two new holiday singles "Christmas Is Here Again" and "New Year's Kiss". The Christian singer, who found fame like Britney Spears through the Disney Channel, has no plans to release them in the UK.

And no, Sir Cliff Richard, despite his hour long special on Songs of Praise is not releasing a Christmas single this year! However, Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is you" has re-entered the Uk singles charts on the power of downloads alone! Look out for many more festive favourites cropping up that way.

Best of the Christmas Albums...

There are lots of acts who just muscle in on the money to be made at Christmas by releasing a Christmas album. One such is Jive Bunny who re-releases his non-stop Christmas party - 40 Christmas songs in typical Jive Bunny style, while the second CD contains his versions of pop party classics including some 2008 hits.

Among the new releases from Christian artists this year are country star Faith Hill's album, 'Joy To The World', released into UK Christian retail by Authentic. As well as the Nashville Orchestra, the album features London-based choirs Metro Voices and The London Oratory School Boys Choir. The album was produced by Dan Huff, Byron Gallimore and Faith herself. Faith Hill's big hit in the UK was "The Way You Love Me." Joy to the World is already No 1 in Canada.

Celtic musician Sammy Horner has released a new independent album. 'New Stuff For Christmas' features such Horner originals as "The Worst Day That I've Had (Joseph's Song)" and "Happy Consumer-mas (It's A Lie)".

Singer/songwriter Garth Hewitt is behind a new DVD documentary, 'Bethlehem Hidden From View', released by ICC last month. The film looks at what is happening to Bethlehem and its neighbour Hebron as seen through the eyes of local Christians.
An EP, 'Bethlehem, Palestine', featuring Garth's songs about Bethlehem including "They've Cancelled Christmas In Bethlehem (The Wall Must Fall)" which received 36,000 hits on internet video site YouTube, is also being released by ICC.

R&B/soul singer Al Jarreau gets his first release to Christian retail when Authentic Music distribute his 'Christmas' album. The project features "the singer's distinctive vocal spin on a dozen yuletide classics."

EMI CMG have released a Christmas project in their popular Go series. 'Go Christmas' features 13 tracks from Steven Curtis Chapman, Aaron Neville, Amy Grant, Twila Paris, Toby Mac, Mandisa, David Crowder Band and others.

Fierce! Distribution have also released a Christmas album by the trio of British choristers, The Choirboys. 'The Carols Album' is the second release by The Choirboys into UK Christian retail. You should also find in your Christian bookshops Jars of Clay's 2007 release "Christmas Songs" which received warm reviews last winter.

"Peace on Earth" is the new album from Casting Crowns which combines the traditional sounds of Christmas with a feeling of worship.  A great way to remember the real reason for the season, by lifting up your voice in praise to Our King during this season of hope. It is released on Reunion Records.

Experience a night of Christmas worship with Third Day’s latest installment to its acclaimed Offerings worship series.  Recorded live during the band’s Christmas Offerings Tour, this new DVD is a great addition to any Third Day collection. The DVD is on the Essential Records label.

Also worth a look is Graham Kendrick's "Dreaming of a Holy Night". On his website Graham says, "Every year since I wrote and recorded Rumours of Angels I have looked forward to writing another set of songs for the Christmas season. This year, at last, I have felt the time is right. I have always found the accounts of the nativity to be woven through not only with mystery and wonder, but with the real struggles of ordinary people - especially in the characters of Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah. In the midst of their dilemmas and disappointments and the drama of what unfolded around them they dreamed of a different world, as so many people do today. Christmas is a time when for a moment it can be a little easier to imagine a world put right, when hope is rekindled for the peace and goodwill we associate with the best of the Christmas season to become a reality for everyone. I have let my imagination be stirred afresh both from inside the story, empathising with some of the characters, and from outside - looking back in wonder at the incarnation, and forward to the fulfilment of what began on that holy night. I have loved revisiting my singer songwriter roots, and hope that these 13 new songs will be both an inspiring listening experience, and a source of new music to weave into seasonal concerts and events."

Elvis Presley's Christmas Duets is a limited edition 13-track CD album featuring the first ever Elvis duets album and the first Christmas compilation of its kind ever produced. This stunning CD features many of today's biggest country artists, including Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson, Sara Evans & LeAnn Rimes singing classic Elvis holiday songs with Elvis Presley. Plus 3 classic Elvis recordings, all of which have been remixed, remastered and feature additional instrumentation.

Finally, a popular event, Rock The Carols, now in its third year organised by Oasis Church, Chippenham, Wiltshire, has now spawned an album. The CD 'Rock The Carols' is performed largely by teenagers and children from Oasis Church. This year the Rock The Carols event will take place four times, twice in Chippenham, once in Devizes and once in Yorkshire.

And to finish with, The Johnny Cash Christmas Specials 1976 - 1979 (2008 UK limited edition 4-disc PAL DVD boxset - these late-1970s Christmas specials [originally aired on CBS and unseen for 30 years] capture Johnny Cash at the peak of his career. Whether he is performing in the intimacy of his Nashville home or on a large soundstage, the elements of his success are here in abundance! With guest appearances from the biggest names in classic country music, this is a must for any Johnny Cash fan.

In Brief - other Music News

*   P.O.D. have denied internet rumours they are breaking up. A band statement said: "There are a lot of rumours flying around right now but please pay no attention to all of that. Just know that the P.O.D. boys are ALL GOOD and are looking forward to doing what we do best in South America and wherever opportunities may present itself in the future. Thank you for all your love and encouragements as we head out for the next couple weeks. Please keep us, our travels and our families back home in your prayers as we'll be gone through the holiday."  P.O.D. have cancelled their British tour, planned to take place in February 2009. No explanation for the decision has been forthcoming from the band.
*   Rebecca St James has begun filming in Hollywood for a forthcoming feature film. To The Wall is based on the poignant story of two young men who embark on a journey of friendship that takes them to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington to connect with the histories of their war vet fathers. Stephen Baldwin and Candace Cameron are also featured in the film, which will release in 2009.
*   A band from Torpoint, Acacia Grove have released a three-song self-titled EP. The project is released independently. Acacia Grove is a contemporary Christian music band, based in SE Cornwall, with members drawn from Torpoint, Saltash, Liskeard and St John. Musical influences and styles vary greatly between a folk/blues feel, through to progressive 70's style rock.

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