a cappella christmassam robson

a cappella christmas

a cappella christmassam robson

1 Once In Royal David’s City 3’59 Words by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895), music by Henry John Gauntlett (1805-1876)

2 I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday 3’35 Words and music by Roy Wood (b.1946)

3 Away In A Manger 2’34 Words anonymous, music by William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

4 I Believe In Father Christmas 3’33 Words by Peter Sinfield (b.1943), music by Gregory Stuart Lake (b.1947)

5 Gaudete 1’37 Words and music anonymous

6 Happy Xmas (War Is Over) 3’47 Words and music by John Lennon (1940-1980) & Yoko Ono (b.1933)

7 We Three Kings 2’41 Words and music by John Henry Hopkins (1820-1891)

8 Wonderful Christmastime 3’49 Words and music by Paul McCartney (b.1942)

9 I Saw Three Ships 3’51 Words and music anonymous

a cappella christmassam robson

10 Fairytale Of New York 4’02 Words and music by Jem Finer (b.1955) & Shane MacGowan (b.1957)

11 In The Bleak Midwinter 3’29 Words by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), music by Harold Darke (1888-1976)

12 Walking In The Air 3’44 Words and music by Howard Blake (b.1938)

13 Deck The Halls 1’45 Words by Thomas Oliphant (1799-1873), music anonymous

14 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 1’45 Words by Haven Gillespie (1888-1975), music by John Frederick Coots (1897-1985)

15 O Holy Night 5’15 Words by John Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893), music by Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)

16 The Christmas Song 3’21 Words and music by Bob Wells (1922-1998) & Mel Tormé (1925-1999)

17 O Come, All Ye Faithful 3’09 Words by Frederick Oakeley (1802-1880), music anonymous

55’59

All tracks arranged by Sam Robson, except tracks 9 and 13 arranged by James Rose & Sam Robson.All tracks performed by Sam Robson.

When I was growing up, Christmas was always my favourite time of year, with the beautiful colours that lit the night sky, the magical sense of expectation and, of course, the special music that filled the air.

One of my strongest childhood memories was taking a walk on Christmas Eve to see all the decorations in our neighbourhood, and returning home in time to watch the Nine Lessons and Carols service broadcast from King’s College, Cambridge. This was to me, as it is to so many people, the epitome of Christmas: a traditional setting, evocative readings, and music that seemed to have been sent from heaven itself. The beautiful sound of the world-famous choir echoing around that cavernous, fan-vaulted chapel filled me with Christmas Spirit and a genuine excitement for the following day.

Many of us are lucky to have fond memories of our childhood Christmases, and music is a great way to recall all those happy times and continue the traditions into the future. With this album I wanted to put my own personal spin on this seasonal concept and I’ve done this by interspersing nine carols with some popular Christmas songs. The carol arrangements are new and hopefully allow the music and, particularly, the words to be heard afresh. The songs offer a different aspect to the Christmas period: sometimes secular, sometimes spiritual, but most will be familiar and will hopefully evoke the modern Christmas that we all know and love.

I hope that this album fills you with the Christmas Spirit, whether you play it whilst wrapping your presents, writing cards, or tucking into a roast dinner with family and friends.

Merry Christmas,

Sam Robson

a cappella christmas

Produced, engineered and mixed by Sam Robson. www.samrobsonmusic.comMastered by Mark Stone.Recorded 30th March – 10th July 2015 at the Middle Room Studio, London, U.K.Publishers: B-Unique Music Publishing (1,3,5,7,9,13,15,17); Music Sales (2,4,6,8,10,14); Stainer & Bell (11); Chester Music (12); Banks Music Publications (16).Photographs of Sam Robson: Nicholas Dawkes. www.nicholasdawkesphotography.co.ukManagement: Jon Walsh, SolidMGMT. www.solidmgmt.comDesign: Red Engine Design. www.redenginedesign.com

Printed in the E.U.

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