Top Picks

This collection is different to the majority of Christmas records we’ve reviewed in this issue, there are no originals but it doesn’t mean it’s not original in it’s delivery. I feel Young takes a humble approach, the idea that the ‘old ones are the best’ is the basis but his arrangements are inspired. This is evident from the beat on the opening track ‘Silver Bells’ it’s quite stripped back, the main instruments being the drum machine and pedal steel guitar. An unusual arrangement on ‘Rockin Around The Christmas Tree’ took me by surprise and took a few listens for me to warm to it, it’s slowed down and feels slightly disjointed with that drum beat however Young teams up with Darius Rucker and though their voices are very different it’s a great partnership, one I’d like to hear more of in the future. The closing track, ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ is a more traditional rendition with the piano and strings arranged to really compliment the song and Brett Young and Sam Fischer’s vocals. It’s a great record filled with some fantastic collaborations. 

Shires voice is so unique and beautiful. I only became familiar with her work when The Highwomen formed and have loved her voice ever since. The album stands out from the majority as there is so much original material on it, nine in total with just two covers in the shape of ‘What Are You Doing New Years Eve’ and the classic ‘Silent Night’. It is a brave and bold decision but one which I hope will ultimately pay off as it’s bursting with great songwriting and festive fun. ‘Gone For Christmas’ is a unique take on what you really want for Christmas, it’s full of whit, a trait we’ve come to know and love from Shires. ‘Blame It On The Mistletoe’ is another one of my favourites on the record, the backing vocals make the pre-chorus and chorus truly soar! Throughout the record there is what sounds like a Hammond B3 Organ, which is used really effectively. To summarise, this is one of the most unique Christmas albums I’ve ever heard, if you’re going to make a festive record, this is how you do it! 

Fallon, best known perhaps for his work as part of The Gaslight Anthem, delivers an intriguing record full of unique interpretations of classic hymns and carols. You may look at this track list and think, well that’s been done before, but never like this. Take Fallon’s version of ‘Amazing Grace’ for example, so delicate and vulnerable in it’s delivery, it truly takes your breath away and tugs on your heartstrings. Again he adds a frailty to ‘O Holy Night’ but it’s laid back drum beat and electric guitar gives it a contemporary feel. On ‘Leaning On The Everlasting Arms’ we hear Fallon’s vocals at their best, that gravelly tone still ever-present gives it character. The arrangement is stripped back, an acoustic guitar and organ working together well. As the song slowly builds the subtle addition of strings is welcomed. Fallon has knocked it out of the park with this imaginative record, a must have for the holiday season. 

One of our favourite country supergroups have reunited for the festive season and we couldn’t be happier! Miranda Lambert, Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe have delivered an original record that only features three covers and they’re not your usual suspects! It begins with the title track, an upbeat number featuring Lambert on lead vocals, the harmonies are gorgeous, the melody is catchy and the lyrics set the scene perfectly. It’s a record that has a sense of humour as is evident on ‘Harlan County Coal’ which sees Presley take the lead. Plaudits must go to Frank Liddell and Eric Masse who produced and co-produced the record respectively, the production is well thought out, complementing both the theme of each track as well as the girls style. ‘Come On Christmas Time’ is a particular favourite of mine, it’s cheeky and fun lyrically but laid back sonically. Lambert delivers a wistful take on Merle Haggard’s ‘If We Make It Through December’ and their rendition of ‘Sleigh Ride’ is vibrant. To summarise, this is another fantastic record from the Pistol Annies, some brilliant originals! I wonder if it would be frowned upon to play it all year round? 

‘Something Worth Remembering’ is an exemplary country record by Pratt. The album has a feel good factor about it, with up-beat songs such as ‘You Gotta Jump in’ and ‘A Song You Can Drink a Beer to’. His tone of voice and style is not too dissimilar from early Jason Aldean; he leans slightly more towards the rock side of country. Pratt knows how to write a catchy chorus melody and he has mastered the clever lyricism that the genre is famed for as well as addressing some of the stereotypical themes of boots, beers and whiskey. He utilises the country instrumentation well too with slide guitar adding a flare to songs such as ’Til Your Boots Are Dirty’. The ballad ‘To Find Us’ is a particular gem on the record, he is joined by the lovely Savannah Nider, their voices blending so well together. The chorus felt a little busy on first listen but after hearing it a second time, it feels intense which helps to deliver the message and compliments the vocal melody well. Gary Pratt delivers a really great country album and I look forward to hearing more from this talented and experienced artist. 

Tenpenny is really enjoying life right now, not long after the release of ‘Midtown Diaries’ he returns with his Christmas record, ‘Naughty List’. The album has that upbeat, country-rock vibe to it that we’ve come to know and love from Tenpenny. It features a good mix of originals and classics starting with the fun-loving ‘Neon Christmas’ written by Tenpenny, Lindsay Rimes and Matt Rogers. It’s a great start to the record which sees Tenpenny’s vocals at their strongest. It starts as it means to go on as a smile instantly spreads across your face. His rendition of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ is imaginative whilst ‘Joy to the World’ offers a very contemporary vision of the classic carol. However, it’s the songs he’s penned himself that set this apart from other Christmas albums, the title track has so much style, the melodies so rhythmical whilst ‘Snow Angels’ with it’s ballad feel has a strong chorus. A brilliant addition to every country fans Christmas collection.  

The singer-songwriter and violinist has carved a unique sound on her new album ‘Awake’. She really plays to her strengths with the effective use of the violin which adds to and compliments each song. With a lovely tone to her voice she tells unique and sometimes haunting stories with her beautiful melodies taking you on a journey throughout the record. Highlights come in the form of ‘Offspring’ which features a lovely arrangement and production. ‘Threshold’ also offers a production that matches the lyrical content, a sense of freedom oozing from the soundscapes she creates. Her songwriting feels authentic yet with a hint of mystery such as in the song ‘Ragged Queen’. Throughout the record though, it is her voice I marvel at, particularly on the title track, ‘Awake’. She exhibits such control, it’s flawless throughout. This may be one of the best folk albums you’ll hear all year. Oreen is a very talented lady. 

Internet sensations, The Longest Johns are about to release their major label debut proving that nautical folk is here to stay. The album is filled with a mix of traditional songs and originals, all set to an authentic instrumentation and sung with beautiful harmonies. From the sombre ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ to the rousing acappella ‘Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate’ it is the harmonies they create that really make this record stand out. Their friendship over the years is obvious with how well their voices gel together. Despite the traditional songs and their accompanying sound, the boys still manage to put their own identity onto each and every track. The closing number, the comedic ‘Beer Is Great’ has an element of musical theatre about it, it transports you to a tavern somewhere, images of sailors sloshing their tankers of beer about in joyful song fill your head. To summarise, this is a really unique album in a niche area of the market but I have every faith they’ll succeed! 

Turner’s signature vocals shine on this record as he tells of the true meaning of Christmas on ‘King Size Manger’. A good mix of classics and originals ensue on the 11 track album. ‘Soldiers Gift’ is an unusual Christmas song, finding an angle that is rarely heard, the ballad in 6/8 time tugs on your heartstrings. What follows is the classic ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ which features the whole of the Turner family, a lovely song for them to share and a reminder of the importance of family and togetherness at Christmas time. His renditions of classic songs like ‘The First Nowell’ and ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’ are heartfelt and sincere in their delivery whilst ‘Joy to the World’ with Rhonda Vincent is upbeat with the drum helping the track to shuffle along. The arrangement is inventive and country to the hilt. Definitely an album to deck the halls to!    

Lu’s Jukebox is a six-volume series of mostly full-band performances recorded live at Ray Kennedy’s Room & Board Studio in Nashville, TN. Each volume features a themed set of songs by other artists curated by the multi-Grammy award winner, this one features 60’s country classics! She’s made some brilliant selections in the form of ‘Make the World Go Away’ and ‘Gentle on My Mind’ and makes them her own with her laid-back vocal style yet has stayed true to the original instrumentation of that era with the use of pedal steel. The stand-out track comes in the form of Buck Owens ‘Together Again’ there is a frailty within her voice as she fills her delivery with emotion.  It’s another strong record in this series which has been an interesting and exciting project from Williams.