For Canadian songstress Jill Barber, nothing signals the start of the holiday season like the needle dropping on her most cherished Christmas albums: the cozy familiarity of Bing Crosby’s smooth baritone on White Christmas, getting dolled up in holiday glam to the soundtrack of Ella’s A Swinging Christmas, the glimmer of hope you feel when Nat King Cole’s buttery voice sings “chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” or the childhood wonder you experience when The Muppets perform their playful rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It’s this feeling of lightness, hope and nostalgia that inspired her to create her first-ever collection of holiday songs, "A Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas".
Produced and arranged by Grammy Award-nominated Drew Jurecka, the album is wrapped in Drew's lush string arrangements and tastefully decorated with the jazz stylings of Ewen Farncombe (piano), Nathan Hiltz (guitar), Chris Banks (bass) and Davide Direnzo (drums) and features a charming duet with her big brother Matthew Barber on the family classic "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," a sexy rendition of "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," a swinging version of Kelly Clarkson’s "Underneath the Tree" and two brand new original Christmas songs, written for the occasion by Jill herself.
Whether you’re seeking to add some seasonal sparkle to your holiday cocktail party, or ready to curl up with a mug of hot cocoa in the glow of the Christmas tree, "A Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas" is sure to bring romance, comfort and joy to your holiday season- for many years to come!
"A Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas" is available on CD or Jack Pine Evergreen LP with customizable gift tag.
The "A Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas" tour kicks off 11/27 in Toronto and spans 13 nights before wrapping up in Halifax on 12/10.
A1. Sleigh Ride
A2. The Christmas Waltz
A3. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
A4. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
A5. A Very Merry Christmas
A6. That Time of Year
B1. Mistletoe and Holly
B2. Merry Christmas Polka
B3. Underneath the Tree
B4. I'll be Home for Christmas
B5. I Want You for Christmas
B6. Noël, c’est l’amour
- 1. Sleigh Ride
- 2. The Christmas Waltz
- 3. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- 4. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
- 5. A Very Merry Christmas
- 6. That Time of Year
- 7. Mistletoe and Holly
- 8. Merry Christmas Polka
- 9. Underneath the Tree
- 10. I'll be Home for Christmas
- 11. I Want You for Christmas
- 12. Noël, c’est l’amour
