HomeMusicChristmas With Nashville album review

Christmas With Nashville album review

UK Nashville fans are currently suffering from withdrawal with the show off air. In the US the hit country music drama is in the midst of its third season but fans here in the UK will have to wait until 2015 until the new season arrives on our shores. As we wait with bated breath to find out who Rayna (Connie Britton) says yes to, a new CD is being released just in time for the festive season; the aptly named Christmas With Nashville.

The new release features favourites from the cast covering a selection of Christmas classics alongside one original track. Opening the collection is Clare Bowen aka Scarlett Oā€™Connor with a playful rendition of Santa Baby. The country jazz background gets the album off to a rousing start and definitely hits all of the right notes.

Across the album Charles Esten aka Deacon Claybourne teams up with country legend Vince Gill on Blue Christmas, Sam Palladio aka Gunnar Scott performs a gorgeous rendition of Joni Mitchellā€™s River, and Aubrey Peeples really surprises with a bluesy version of Merry Christmas Baby. Connie Britton aka Rayna James gets two cuts on the album with the cheeky Youā€™re a Mean One, Mr Grinch and Baby, Itā€™s Cold Outside with Will Chase aka Luke Wheeler.

Hayden Panettiere aka Juliette Barnes only gets one solo her with White Christmas and we imagine thatā€™s due to her real-life pregnancy. She does a lovely version of the song but we would have preferred something a bit more uptempo from the feisty actress.

There are two moments on the album that stand out from the pack. Chaley Rose aka Zoey Dalton delivers an incredible soulful rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas breathing new life into the festive gem, and Lennon & Maisy aka Maddie & Daphne Conrad who tackle Christmas Coming Home, a song written and produced by their parents Marylynne and Bradley Stella.

One glaring omission from the release is Chris Carmack aka Will Lexington. For some reason the singing stud is completely absent from the album, which is a real shame as heā€™s one of our favourites on the show.

The album comes to a close with all of the cast members performing Celebrate Me Home, a song originally recorded and co-written by Kenny Loggins. Itā€™s a real joy to hear all of the cast singing together for once and their voices work surprisingly well together. Itā€™s a gorgeous end to a great album.

Christmas With Nashville is a polished and enjoyable collection of winter warmers that will no doubt be played to death in our house this Christmas. Itā€™s a clever move from the makers of the show and the cast do a great job of bringing these oft-covered classics to life in a new way. Itā€™s the perfect solution to the Nashville withdrawal youā€™re feeling right now so grab your copy today.

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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