By the time the frost hits the pumpkin, as the saying goes (and no that’s not a euphemism) there typically is no shortage of new Christmas albums from the usual suspects singing, for the most part, the same old spiritual carols and secular classics. And then there’s “Won’t Be Home For Christmas”. The compilation CD, conceived and produced by Swedish music industry veteran Peter Holmstedt, brings together compositions from 18 different singer-songwriters, each of whom approach their assignment to ’write a song about Christmas’ in widely different musical stylings.
To be sure, there are no Justin Beibers here singing ”Away In The Manger”, no Reba McEntires twanging out ”Joy To The World” (proof if needed that God does still exist) – there are, however, songsmiths from around the globe, from Dublin to Austin, to South Australia to Nashville, who weave together a deep playlist, veering from dark to cheery to twisted tunes, from introspective musings to the tender wonderment of a miraculous life. There’s even a lullaby.
We have 5 copies of the record to giveaway thanks to our festive friends over at Hemifran/Paraply Records – just send an email with your name and address on to giveaways@americana-uk.com by Monday 20th November. Five winners will be selected randomly and the album will be nestling in your CD players in time for you putting gaudy baubles up on your tree. You can find more details on the record here and look out for a review of the album soon here on AUK.
