With Christmas just around the corner, country artists are once more feeling the holiday spirit and sharing the yuletide cheer via their seasonal releases, including established crooner Phil Vassar.
With five studio albums and a greatest-hits collection to his credit thus far, the hit-making country artist recently announced that he has recorded and will release a new holiday album for fans. Simply titled Noel, the album is a 10-track collection from RodeoWave Entertainment, set to be available digitally beginning Nov. 22, 2011, that will feature five yuletide classics and five originals.
The completion of Noel marks the first Christmas-themed album that the award-winning singer-songwriter has recorded, not to mention a dream come true for the philanthropic performer.
"I've always dreamed of making a Christmas record," remarked Vassar via an email correspondence. "From the time I was a boy—listening to Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby and all the classic singers—I’ve wanted to do this."
The tried ‘n’ true classics on the upcoming Noel include a duet with artist Kellys Collins on “Away In A Manager” and a rendition of “What Child Is This” that has been described as “almost haunting” by the artist’s PR camp. Additionally, the release includes "Oh Come All Ye Faithful/Angels We Have Heard On High" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas," as well as a re-make of the The Carpenters’ "Merry Christmas Darling" favorite.
As for the original holiday offerings, Vassar has created a jazzy number, "Doesn't Feel Like Christmas Without You," which he co-inked with his Noel co-producer, Dane Bryant, not to mention a track titled “Big Ole Texas Christmas” that features one of the modern-day kinds of Texas swing, Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel fame.
Country fans know that Vassar is a fun-spirited, piano-playin’ hit-maker, and on Noel, he doesn’t disappoint in this arena, thanks in part to the upbeat "I Saved Christmas," which the blond musician wrote solo and laced with heavy piano and Hammond B3 instrumentation. Meanwhile, he also included a sultry-sounding "Let's Make A Little Christmas Tonight" and the slightly irreverent "Santa's Gone Hollywood" for good measure.
"I love the way Christmas makes you feel … (and) how it makes you slow down and re-evaluate your life,” observed Vassar, referring to the impetus for his Noel project. "It makes you think about years past and look ahead toward things to come. But for me, it's the music that makes it all come alive."
Beyond digital retailers, the Noel CD also is available at Vassar’s live performances and via his www.PhilVassar.com website.
Lisa L. Rollins - Texas native Lisa L. Rollins, Ph.D., is an award-winning feature writer, interviewer and journalism educator.
