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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Christmas album news: Neil Diamond, Jennifer Nettles, She & Him, Loretta Lynn

Another week, another slew of new holiday album announcements. This time, they're led off by the King of Christmas Albums, Neil Diamond... 

Capitol Records has announced the global release of Acoustic Christmas, a new holiday collection from Neil Diamond. Hitting Oct. 28, with a vinyl version arriving Nov. 19, pre-orders are now available HERE. Acoustic Christmas will feature new recordings of holiday classics and original tracks by Diamond, with 2 songs on albums bought exclusively through Target.

This new collection was produced by Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan) and Jacknife Lee (U2, Snow Patrol, R.E.M.), the pair behind Diamond’s 2014 acclaimed album, Melody Road.

“One need look no further than Neil's earliest hits to know that something special happens when you set his voice in the middle of a few acoustic guitars: the vibrant expression that lives in the nuances of Neil's singing moves to the forefront and creates a profoundly intimate experience,” says Was.

“The vibe in the studio seems inspired by the folk scene of Neil’s early years in Greenwich Village. We had a stellar cast of musicians sitting around in a circle of microphones, eclectic acoustic instruments and Christmas lights! We had a wonderful time making this record and the good vibes permeate every track.” 

“He's got such a warm voice, it is like gravy or hot chocolate,” adds Lee. “The moments that worked so well during those sessions were when Neil sat with us and played the songs on the sofa, with his acoustic guitar, and we'd all pick up instruments that were lying about and join in,” says Lee of the album’s stripped-down format. “It was like traditional holiday gathering, when small family groups would sing together at home.” 

Track Listing: 

O HOLY NIGHT
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR
CHRISTMAS PRAYERS
HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
MARY’S BOY CHILD
SILENT NIGHT
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
CHILDREN GO WHERE I SEND THEE
CHRISTMAS IN KILLARNEY
THE CHRISTMAS MEDLEY:
IT’S ALMOST DAY
MAKE A HAPPY SONG
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
*#1 RECORD FOR CHRISTMAS (BONUS TRACK FOR TARGET)
*WE THREE KINGS (BONUS TRACK FOR TARGET)


Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Jennifer Nettles is prepping the release of her first holiday album, To Celebrate Christmas, slated for Oct. 28 on Big Machine Records. It is available for pre-order now: http://smarturl.it/JNChristmas.

Producer Julian Raymond (Glen Campbell, Cheap Trick) joined Jennifer in the studio. The project includes collaborations with Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel on “Little Drummer Boy,” and the jazz-influenced melody alongside American-soul sensation Andra Day on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.” Friend and mentor Dolly Parton – penned “Circle Of Love.”

Jennifer will also star in the NBC television special based on Dolly’s life this December called Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, a holiday-themed sequel to the rating success Coat of Many Colors.

“I’m such a lover of this season and all of the magical feelings that surround us during the holidays so it will be exciting to share it with fans at our live shows,” expressed Jennifer. “Especially since the birth of my son, who arrived to us in December, I’ve found even more joy Christmas traditions and music. Having both Idina and Andra lend their idyllic voices to some of my favorite songs is the bow on top!”

Jennifer will join fans for select tour dates beginning in Nashville, TN (12/8) and continuing to Tallahassee, FL (12/9) as well as Lake Charles, LA (12/10). Tickets go on sale Friday (9/23) at Ticketmaster.com.

The multi-talented entertainer has kept a full schedule this year, releasing her critically-acclaimed sophomore album Playing with Fire, joining label mates Cheap Trick for a CMT Crossroads that earned a CMT Awards nomination for Performance of the Year and headlining the 30+ city CMT Next Women of Country Tour across the US and Canada alongside Brandy Clark, Lindsey Ell and Tara Thompson.

Track listing:

1. Go Tell It On The Mountain
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (featuring Andra Day)
3. Little Drummer Boy (featuring Idina Menzel)
4. Celebrate Me Home
5. Circle Of Love
6. Do You Hear What I Hear
7. Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep
8. O Holy Night
9. Merry Christmas With Love
10. The First Noel


JenniferNettles.com

She & Him's album Christmas Party is out Oct. 28 on Columbia Records. The sixth release from the duo comprised of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward is the follow up to A Very She And Him Christmas.

Christmas Party features guest appearances by Jenny Lewis, The Chapin Sisters and Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley. There are classics like Darlene Love and Phil Spector's "Marshmallow World," Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka" and Chuck Berry's "Run Run Rudolph."

Ward and Deschanel also may introduce listeners to the more obscure tracks such as folk singer Vashti Bunyon's "Coldest Night of the Year" and the lesser known Frank Sinatra track "Christmas Memories." Pop favorites such as "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and The Chipmunks "Christmas Don't Be Late" round out the celebration.

Track listing:

1. All I Want for Christmas Is You
2. Let It Snow
3. Must Be Santa
4. Happy Holiday
5. Mele Kalikimaka
6. Christmas Memories
7. Run Run Rudolph
8. Winter Wonderland
9. The Coldest Night of the Year
10. A Marshmallow World
11. The Man with the Bag
12. Christmas Don't Be Late 


sheandhim.com 

Loretta Lynn invites you to celebrate the 2016 yuletide season with the release of her new album, White Christmas Blue, on Oct. 7.

The track "White Christmas Blue" is newly penned by Loretta Lynn and Grammy Award winner Shawn Camp. This is the second volume of the Cash Cabin Recordings and part of a planned multi-album deal with Legacy Recordings/Sony Music. It will be released on CD, LP and digitally and is available for pre-order now at:  
http://smarturl.it/ll_wcb_amzn?IQid=pr.1.

Loretta's first collection of seasonal songs since 1966 (and her second release this year for Legacy), White Christmas Blue premieres 12 studio performances including new versions of two original compositions ("Country Christmas" and "To Heck with Ole Santa Claus") which first appeared on Country Christmas; traditional carols ("Away in a Manger," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Silent Night"); in-the-moment contemporary takes on seasonal pop standards ("Winter Wonderland," "Frosty the Snowman," "Jingle Bells," "White Christmas") and the title track. The album concludes with Loretta's recitation of the beloved seasonal story "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

White Christmas Blue is the celebratory successor to Loretta's first Legacy release, Full Circle (her 40th Top 10 country album and her highest-charting album ever on the Billboard 200). At the time of Full Circle's release, in March 2016, it had been more than a decade since Loretta Lynn had recorded or released any new studio music.

Like Full Circle, White Christmas Blue pays homage to Loretta's deepest musical roots and influences and was recorded at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee, produced by Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash.

Track listing:

1. White Christmas Blue
2. Country Christmas
3. Winter Wonderland
4. Away in a Manger
5. Blue Christmas
6. To Heck with Ole Santa Claus
7. Frosty the Snowman
8. Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
9. Jingle Bells
10. White Christmas
11. Silent Night
12. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

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