We all love a Christmas song to get us in the spirit for the upcoming festive season, each year the classics are rolled out to help us with our celebrations. Dorset singer/songwriter Nick Capaldi wants to add to our fun by creating the first all original Christmas album made by a British artist. The album which is to be released in mid-November is called 12 Christmas Kisses and has been a mammoth project featuring hundreds of different elements and a huge amount of effort by it’s creator.
The album was officially launched at a party at Nick and his wife Grace’s Echotown Studio in Dorchester, the party of invited guests featured many people that have been recruited in putting the record together. Nick explains “I’ve wanted to do a Christmas album for some time but I also wanted it to be different to anything that’s gone before. So, I wrote songs about the various perspectives people have around Christmas. Each one portrays a particular theme of the Christmas experience, from the fun we have at celebrations and parties to the more serious business of joining together for Christmas rituals. It was important to add my own take on those things. I was amazed when I found out there’s never been a whole album of original Christmas songs by a British artist. For me, it’s the icing on the Christmas cake.”
12 Christmas Kisses also carries on a tradition Nick has established throughout his career: collaborations with top-draw musicians and singers. Nick himself has a black book that would rival that of Bob Geldof’s. This time there are such luminaries as guitarist Robbie McIntosh of The Pretenders and Paul McCartney’s band; Ian Jennings, bassist for Carl Perkins, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler; Anthony Clark who has played strings for Rod Stewart and Elton John; Sam Brown, daughter of Joe and a hitmaker herself who contributed both ukulele and backing vocals; and BJ Cole, the great pedal steel player who has performed with just about anybody who is anybody. And then there’s the singer extraordinaire Louise Marshall, who takes the lead vocal on the track “December Song”. Louise has appeared with some of the greatest artists on the planet including Sir Tom Jones, Chaka Khan, Chic, The Temptations and Robbie Williams among many, many others. She is also a regular on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny so she is a natural choice for a Christmas album.
If that wasn’t enough, Nick and his team have saved the best ’til last……. The magnificent Aled Jones sings the main vocal on the track “Marley’s Yule”. Getting Aled is quite a coup as he is an artist who is constantly in great demand. It tells you all you need to know about the respect in which Nick is held that Aled was so enthusiastic about making the time to perform on 12 Christmas Kisses. The positives don’t end there as Nick’s lead vocals are engineered by Stuart Bruce, whose credits include one of our best known Christmas songs Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’.
The album kicks off with an old fashioned style Christmas knees-up with “Come On In And ‘ave A Dance”, an earworm of a tune that once heard it will never be forgotten. The tune pays homage to those party tunes provided by the wonderful duo of Chas ‘n Dave along with a nod to The Blues Brothers. The ever present piano; coupled with utterly infectious rhythms and the customary Christmas saxophone solo, the tune has been immortalized with it’s own 1970’s retro shot video recreating a Christmas house party featuring a host of great characters, some who mimic what we have all experienced within our own families….
“Toys And Lights” brings into focus the magic of Christmas from a child’s point of view and that moment when you wake up on Christmas morning to see what Santa has delivered. In contrast with the first number the tunes focus on the power of the lyrics this are backed with a host of sounds featuring glockenspiel, French horn, accordion, bass & upright bass, sousaphone, castanets and of course sleigh bells for the enchanted instrumentation. Nick’s vocals are shared by the children’s choir of the “Unite Stage Academy”, who bring some wonderous magical charm.
“Tinseltown” shows off this singer’s sublime songwriting abilities using his descriptive words to set the scene and provide some emotive warming feelings of the season. The song notably features the vocals and Ukulele from world-renowned musician Sam Brown. With the use of strings as an atmospheric backdrop, along with some notable drumming and Harry Bassett’s trumpet solo, Nick beautifully serenades us with a great tune that easily stands alongside some of the classics.
“December Song” is a tune with some epic production and features the dulcet charms of singer Louise Marshall, who took on the song in the studio and powerfully made it her own. The vocal performance reminds you of one of the tunes you hear in a Christmas film, think Darlene Love and you’ll get the idea. Once again we are treated to some exquisite, brilliantly put together backing, with the track delivering Christmas spirit by the sleigh load. From the lovely French horn opening to the ever present piano and the rest of the layered orchestration.
“Merry And Feeling Good” is a simpler but no less effective track, with the chuckle of the banjo combined with acoustic guitars and the duel piano’s of Ben Waters and Matt Black. The brass and the sleigh bells brings in that good old fashioned Christmassy vibe. Our perpetrators voice changes with a bit of an Elvis/Roy Orbison-style twang, almost like duetting with himself.
“Believe Again” is reminiscent of something like Josh Groban would sing in films like The Polar Express. It features BJ Cole’s atmospheric pedal steel which gives the song a Country feel to it. With this collection of songs Nick has not stood still on any of the creation processes, with each song he has started with a blank canvas and built it from scratch; drawing from a considerable amount of experience and resources with his little black book of contacts paying dividends.
We all have an idea in mind how we want Christmas to be and with all the planning that goes on before, it should be perfect and as we all know things don’t always go to plan. The next song about “Christmas Done My Way” is about those daydreams of that perfect Christmas, well it might snow for us someday. The songs starts with the deep resonant sound of the sousaphone before the catchy melodies and Nick’s smooth as silk soothing vocal delivers.
Cor blimey gov. Mr Capaldi gone all cockney sparrer on us with the next song; “I Only Have Mince Pies For You”! He has cleverly turned a love song into a Christmas song using Cockney rhyming slang and he even turns his vocals on with a bit of an East End accent. It’s almost as if one of the market stall holders are serenading their trouble and strife. It’s a great piece of songwriting and once again team Capaldi have delivered with a perfect musical arrangement to match.
When I first heard the album at the listening party at the Echotown Studio, this is one of the tunes that really stood out. Not just because it has “Walking In The Air” star Aled Jones and the Unite Stage Academy Children’s Choir, it really has a magical air about it using Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” as the festive subject matter. Once the track’s delightful content bestows your ears it will certainly be one that you will never forget. It starts off with story-teller Mike Streeter who sets the scene with his regional accent. The sublime vocals of the choir and the significant voice of Aled, coupled with the perfectly created melodies make for a epically enchanting tune with a great positive message. A brilliant tune to bestow the world with and one that will be enjoyed by many.
“Jingaling” is another track that features a huge cast of seasoned musicians that have been brought together on this very unique project. Where else would you hear a bass harmonica, flugel horn, a bassoon and a Wurlitzer in a song? There has been absolutely no compromise to any of these tunes and this one is packed with a host of different sounds to enjoy. You can only imagine the sheer amount of effort that has been put in to bring this all together.
The penultimate track “Thank Christmas” starts off with a little twinkle of the ivories before Nick and the children of Unite Stage Academy serenade us with a tune that is along the lines of John Lennon’s ‘Happy Christmas’ (War is Over), the message is clear and simplistic featuring a host of layered sounds that smoulder festively until Robbie McIntosh delivers an impressive trademark solo to close.
The album signs off with “On This Night” where local Dorset legend Matt Black shows his worth with some sounds from Piano, Mellotron and Mini Moog with “Relight My Choir” adding some colourfully atmospheric vocals. The sleigh bells, brass and the bassoon provide the merry yule-conjuring sounds and make sure you let the tune run to the end as it has a false ending.
It is almost impossible to put into words how important this project has been, bringing so many people together for this one goal. Most artists in their life either record a Christmas cover or if adventurous, write one of their own. A whole album of twelve original Christmas songs is some achievement and taking into consideration the amount of production, it is almost impossible to comprehend. Not since Phil Spector’s ‘A Christmas Gift for You’ back in the 60’s has there been such a special album celebrating the most magical of seasons. Each song has been lovingly crafted into tunes that will easily make their way into peoples hearts, songs that deserve to be played on the radio, in shopping centres, on television and anywhere that Christmas is being celebrated.
Track-Listing:
Come On In And ‘ave A Dance
Toys And Lights
Tinseltown
December Song Feat. Louise Marshall
Merry And Feeling Good
Believe Again
Christmas Done My Way
I Only Have Mince Pies For You
Marley’s Yule
Jingaling
Thank Christmas
On This Night
Each track features a cast of many, here are the credits for each song:
Come On In and Av A Dance
Acoustic Guitar, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Sleigh Bells, Tambourine and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
Electric Guitar – Jamie Parker
Piano – Ben Waters
Accordion – Chris Toyne
Trombone and Trumpet – Harry Bassett
Saxophone- Clive Ashley
Sousaphone – James Emmett
Bass – Pat Martin
Drums – Dave Wallace
Toys and Lights
Vocals, Glockenspiel, and Acoustic Guitar – Nick Capaldi
Children’s Choir – Unite Stage Academy (Solo Child for one line)
Acoustic Guitar and Acoustic 12 String – Robbie McIntosh
Electric Guitar – Pat Martin
Bass Harmonica – Liam Ward
Accordion – Chris Toyne
Piano – Matt Black
Synth – Andy McMaster
Trombone – Harry Bassett
Sousaphone – James Emmett
French Horn – Ed Lockwood
Pedal Steel – BJ Cole
Strings – Anthony Clark
Bass – Pat Martin
Upright Bass – Ian Jennings
Drums, Castanets, Sleigh Bells and Tambourine and Chimes – Dave Wallace
Tinseltown
Acoustic Guitar, Hand Chimes, Hand Bells, Glockenspiel and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
Vocals – Grace Hancock
Bass Harmonica – Liam Ward
Accordion – Chris Toyne
Ukulele, Baritone Ukulele, Hand Chimes and Vocals – Sam Brown
Piano – Matt Black
Trombone and Trumpet – Harry Bassett
French Horn – Ed Lockwood
Strings – Anthony Clarke
String Quartet – Nick Squires
Bass – Pat Martin
Upright Bass – Ian Jennings
Drums, Castanets, Sleigh Bells and Tambourine- Dave Wallace
December Song
Vocals and BV arrangements – Louise Marshall
Glockenspiel, Acoustic Guitar and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
Bass Harmonica – Liam Ward
Accordion – Chris Toyne
French Horn – Ed Lockwood
Strings – Anthony Clarke
String Quartet – Nick Squires
Piano – Matt Black
Acoustic 12 String – Robbie McIntosh
Bass and Electric 12 String – Pat Martin
Upright Bass – Ian Jennings
Drums, Castanets, Sleigh Bells and Tambourine and Wood Block – Dave Wallace
Merry and Feeling Good
Vocals – Nick Capaldi
Acoustic Guitar – Robbie McIntosh
Acoustic Guitar – Lynton Guest
Banjo – Kate Lissauer
Piano – Matt Black
Piano – Ben Waters
Synth – Andy McMaster
Trombone and Trumpet – Harry Bassett
Sousaphone – James Emmett
Upright Bass – Ian Jennings
Drums, Castanets and Sleigh Bells and Vibraslap – Dave Wallace
Believe Again
Sleigh Bells and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
BVs – Pete Langdown and Liz Chaisty
Choir – Relight My Choir
Acoustic Guitar – Robbie McIntosh
Bass Harmonica – Liam Ward
Accordion – Chris Toyne
Pedal Steel – BJ Cole
Trombone and Trumpet – Harry Bassett
Bass – Pat Martin
Drums – Dave Wallace
Christmas Done My Way
Piano Solo, Mellotron, Sleigh Bells, Siren Whistle and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
BVs – Pete Langdown and Liz Chaisty
Acoustic Guitar – Robbie McIntosh
Piano – Matt Black
Trombone and Trumpet – Harry Bassett
Sousaphone – James Emmett
Bass – Pat Martin
Drums, Castanets and Vibraslap – Dave Wallace
I Only Have Mince Pies For You
Glockenspiel, Sleigh Bells, Chimes and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
Acoustic Guitar – Robbie McIntosh
Piano – Ben Waters
Accordion – Chris Toyne
Trombone and Trumpet – Harry Bassett
French Horn – Ed Lockwood
Strings – Anthony Clarke
String Quartet – Nick Squires
Bass – Pat Martin
Drums and Castanets – Dave Wallace
Marley’s Yule
Vocals – Aled Jones
Children’s Choir – Unite Stage Academy
Glockenspiel and Timpani – Nick Capaldi
Classical Guitar and Acoustic High Strung – Robbie McIntosh
Spoken word – Mike Streeter
Trombone and Trumpet – Harry Bassett
Sousaphone – James Emmett
French Horn – Ed Lockwood
Strings – Anthony Clarke
String Quartet – Nick Squires
Jingaling
Yamaha Keyboard, Glockenspiel, Siren Whistle and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
Acoustic Guitar and Acoustic 12 String – Robbie McIntosh
Electric Guitar – Jamie Parker
Bass Harmonica – Liam Ward
Accordion – Chris Toyne
French Horn – Ed Lockwood
Trumpet and Flugel Horn – Harry Bassett
Bassoon – Tammy Thorn
Strings – Nick Squires
String Quartet – Nick Squires
Piano – Matt Black
Piano and Wurlitzer – Lynton Guest
Piano and Hammond Organ – Andy McMaster
Bass – Pat Martin
Drums, Sleigh Bells, Tambourine, Wood Block and Chimes – Dave Wallace
Thank Christmas
Glockenspiel, Sleigh Bells, Tambourine, Shakers and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
Children’s Choir – Unite Stage Academy
Choir – Relight My Choir
Acoustic Guitar and solo – Robbie McIntosh
Electric Guitar – Jamie Parker
Piano – Matt Black
Brass – Harry Bassett
Strings – Anthony Clark
Fretless Bass – Pat Davey
Drums – Dave Wallace
On This Night
Keyboard, Glockenspiel, Drums and Vocals – Nick Capaldi
Choir – Relight My Choir
Trumpet – Harry Bassett
French Horn – Ed Lockwood
Bassoon – Tammy Thorn
Piano, Mellotron and Mini Moog – Matt Black
Sleigh Bells – Dave Wallace
Bass – Saul Coghlan
Video:
Links
https://nickcapaldi.com
https://www.facebook.com/nickcapaldimusic
Article By David Chinery (Chinners)
