The Albion Christmas Band evolved from special seasonal shows by the last incarnation of The Albion Band. On a suggestion from Simon Care, a previous Albion band member himself, the band's original founder Ashley 'The Guv'nor' Hutchings brought together two other previous Albion Band members to create an autonomous band to present a guided tour through the Christmas customs of Britain. These popular concerts feature a mixture of seasonal carols, spoken word, humorous readings and dance. But they add a modern twist with some newly written songs. The combined talents of Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), Kellie While (Albion Band), Simon Care (Edward 11), and 'The Guv'nor' himself, Ashley Hutchings, founder of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band.
Featured were four original songs by Cash, along with eight covers including takes of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," "Silent Night," "Blue Christmas," and others. This is a solidly enjoyable entry from Cash, and a must-have for die-hard aficionados of the country icon.
Grammy and Tony Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, author and actor Leslie Odom, Jr. drops his brand-new holiday album, The Christmas Album, via S-Curve Records/BMG. The 10-track album features a collection of beloved traditional favorites together with newly penned, original tracks “Snow” and “Heaven & Earth” that are sure to become instant holiday classics for years to come.
It cannot be said that Robbie Williams is a Scrooge with his holiday album, The Christmas Present. In its deluxe edition – which is the only edition available upon its initial 2019 release – The Christmas Present is a double album, divided into a disc chronicling "The Christmas Past" on one disc and "The Christmas Future" on the other, thereby turning the record's title into a double-edged pun. The Christmas Past disc is devoted to shopworn seasonal standards, supplemented by a handful of newer tunes written in the same ornate fashion. The Christmas Future finds Robbie loosening his tie and shaking off the strings, splitting his time between sincere ballads and impish novelties. Naturally, The Christmas Future is livelier than The Past, with Williams camping it up with Tyson Fury on the naughty "Bad Sharon" and then happily tweaking both sides of the political aisle with "Snowflakes." Williams may like to act like a bad boy, but at his heart he's a sentimental cornball and, ultimately, he winds up making mawkishness seem merry on The Christmas Present.
In case you've lost track (or were never keeping track), this is Johnny Mathis' sixth newly recorded Christmas album following Merry Christmas (1958), The Sound of Christmas (1963), Give Me Your Love for Christmas (1969), For Christmas (1984), and Christmas Eve With Johnny Mathis (1986)…
Frank Sinatra was arguably the most important musical figure of the 20th century, his only real rivals for the title being Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra presents its very first Christmas Album. All the tracks are carefully selected Christmas favourites drawn from the Orchestra's extensive repertoire, and capture the very essence of a vintage Christmas celebration. A Christmas album from an established artist is normally high up on the recording agenda. In this respect it might be fair to say this album is somewhat overdue, especially as the Orchestra had a radio hit with "White Christmas" in the 70s. A little research into seasonal songs from the 20s, 30s and 40s reveals a wealth of material, and whilst some of these tracks will be very familiar, others not so.