REVISITED: MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY

Released on 30 October 2012, “Merry Christmas, Baby” the album soon proved to be a huge commercial success, reaching top 5 in these countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, UK and US. In US where the majority of Christmas (or Holiday or Seasonal) albums are released, Rod’s was the bestselling one of 2012.

I like to divide Christmas music into three groups: first we have the rather old (many dating back hundreds of years) traditional carols with or without a specific religious context. Then there are many newer songs with a Christmas, wintertime or Santa Claus theme written for the stage or movies and made popular during the 1940s and 50s by Sinatra, Martin, Como and the likes. The last and newest group consists of songs by pop/rock artist like Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody”, Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas”, The Pogues with the late Kirsty MacColl “Fairytale Of New York” to mention but a few.
There is no need for Christian or religious content to be a Christmas song; mistletoe, winter, Santa Claus, reindeer, sleigh or simply snow works well. Many of the songs we now think of as Christmas standards are actually adapted from music initially composed for other purposes.

For his album, “Merry Christmas, Baby” Rod has made his pick mostly among songs from the second group with the addition of some traditional carols. Even the brand new self-penned track “Red Suited Super Man” has an arrangement and sound, which make it blend in with the other tracks.
The deluxe version has 3 so called “bonus” tracks, making it 16 tracks running for over 57 minutes.

All but one of the songs are produced by David Foster and have him on piano plus session musicians Dean Parks on guitar, Chuck Berghofer on bass and Peter Erskine on drums. None of these are beginners; they have all played jazz for ages and are top notch versatile players. Dean Parks has participated on over 500 (!) albums (obviously, he lives in the studio!) Together they create an open, lush, jazzy backing leaving lot of space for Rod’s voice when he sings. As soon as there is a break they all rush in or take a solo. Horns, strings and backing vocals are also used to some extent but Rod’s voice is never drowned, all the way it is possible to hear every different nuance clearly. Percussionist Matt O’Connor from Rod’s band contributes on several tracks too. David Foster is also the producer of other multi-platinum Christmas albums by Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Celine Dion and Josh Groban. He is also the producer of Mary J. Blige’s brand new “Mary Christmas”

1: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Originally introduced by Judy Garland in 1944. The number two most performed Christmas song in US. Frank Sinatra had the lyrics changed by the composer for his 1957 version, making it more optimistic. Most of the over 500 (!) versions that are found on iTunes use these modified lyrics and so does Rod. His version is kind of slow, his voice bearing the song. Both Lou Rawls’ and The Pretenders versions also make great listening.

2: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town was written in 1934 and became an instant sheet music hit before it was recorded. Over the years numerous artists have covered this and it holds the position as the number four most performed. This is a swinging version with horns and percussion makes you want to snap your fingers and tap the rhythm. Cyndi Lauper’s and Frank Sinatra’s artificially created duet of this one really swings and is well worth checking out.

3: Winter Wonderland. From 1934 and covered by some 150 different artists and the number three most performed Christmas song. This festive rendition by Rod is completely destroyed by Michael Buble’s flat and boring voice. OK, he had the most sold Christmas album in 2011, that was also produced by Foster, which is probably why they gave him a guest spot here. But Buble adds nothing at all to the song, his voice just ruins the song. I recommend the versions by Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin just to get something different from Buble.

4: White Christmas. This one originates from 1941 and the Bing Crosby version is believed to be the biggest selling single in the world (how could that happen…beats me!) It is the number five most played holiday song in the US. Rod sings this one with strings and some very nice acoustic guitar, as if some jazzy lounge singer. It became even more intimate live on TV with J’anna on violin and David Foster on piano. For some more raw versions both Otis Redding’s and Darlene Love’s are great.

5: Merry Christmas, Baby. This is an amazing punchy R&B Christmas standard from 1947. In this version, both guests Cee Lo Green (or Solomon Burke “light”, as I like to think of him..) and Trombone Shorty are spot on and make this among the best tracks on the album. Listening to this and comparing to the Buble duet really makes you realize how much he sucks! The track is also featured on Green’s “Cee Lo’s Magic Moments” Christmas album and Rod and Cee Lo performed it as part of “CeeLo & Friends” holiday special live from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. A bit more powerful than the studio version. Other recommended covers of this song are Chuck Berry’s and Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s.

6: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Dating from 1945 this is among the bestselling songs of all time. Rod’s version reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in December 2012.The song remained in the No. 1 spot for a total of five weeks, tying it for the longest leading rendition of a holiday title in the history of the chart. There are some really nice horns and a sax solo here, but I personally I prefer the duet with Kylie Minogue from the Stirling Castle TV special. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and Aaron Neville both have recorded soulful versions of this song.

7: What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? A popular song from 1947 by Frank Loesser recorded by many artists, mostly crooners, over the years. Here they have paired Rod with the late Ella Fitzgerald for a “virtual duet” (her recording is from 1960). While production is seamless, the result is artistically not very exciting despite Rod’s fine part. It would probably have sounded better without Fitzgerald. Rod had already recorded another much better seasonal duet with Dolly Parton of another Loesser song; “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, released on Stardust the Great American Songbook vol. III. This is a romantic duet (interpreted by some non-romantics to be about date rape!) where Rod has the role of the “wolf” and Dolly is the “mouse” and the two interact very vividly. I’d take this over the Fitzgerald duet anytime. Lee Ann Womack / Harry Connick jr. and Norah Jones/Willie Nelson sing other great versions of “Baby It’s Cold Outside”.

8: Blue Christmas. The ultimate rock ‘n’ roll version of this is of course the one from 1957 by Elvis Presley, although it had charted several times previously by country artist after its first recording in 1948. A lot of artist try to imitate Elvis vocal style when singing this song. Bon Jon Jovi, Chris Isaak, Brian Setzer and Shakin’ Stevens (anyone remember him?) all put on a typical Elvis drawl for this number. Off course, they only sound like bleak copies. Thankfully Rod has not been led into that trap. Instead, what we got here is a slow take, which leans on both country and jazz. Very neatly arranged with some sublime guitar playing by Dean Parks. Both Wyonna Judd’s and Tammy Wynette’s versions are also classy.

9: Re-Suited Super Man. The album’s one and only original Rod song. Co-written with producer David Foster and his daughter Amy. Maybe not the song we had hoped for after some 15 years of waiting but this really grows on you upon repeated playing and fits very well in with the concept of this album. A joyful, humorous, swinging piece. Great to have Rod reunited with Jimmy Roberts’s saxophone. Actually, this song is maybe the most untypical kind of Rod-written song in his catalogue, but it is a great Christmas song and my guess is it will join ranks with the other standards in the future.

10: When You Wish Upon A Star. No mention of snow or Santa or anything remotely connected to Christmas mythology, even so this is regarded as a Christmas song in Norway (where I live) and in the neighbouring countries Sweden, Finland and Denmark. With some good willing, the Star in the song is of course imagined to be the Star of Bethlehem. Year after year, as long as I can remember, this song has been played every Christmas Eve in the traditional one-hour Disney cabaret shown on TV. In almost every home in Scandinavia, the whole family will gather to watch this show. For many there is no real Christmas without it. It really bring back some great memories from times long gone. It is nice to hear this with the voice of Rod instead of Jiminy Cricket.

11: We Three Kings is a carol from around 1860. And this is a duet with Mary J. Blige. Rod first sang with Mary J. Blige live at Wembley in 1997, the two delivering a paramount to everything else killer version of “Nothing Compares 2 U”. Like Rod, Mary J. has the ability to reach out with her voice and make everyone feel her emotions. Unfortunately, they were not able to stir the emotions in the same way with their second collaboration, on “Soulbook”. I am happy that “We Three Kings” comes off very well. It is even better in the US TV special where they sing face to face and also have the backing of a gospel choir.

12: Silent Night. What a fine performance of this over 200 years old carol. Over 2000 versions of this song are available on iTunes! Do we need yet another recording of this one? I would not have been without Rod’s version. It is very good. Starting off very “unplugged” with just acoustic guitar and Rod’s voice, it builds momentum as strings, keyboards and a children’s choir are added. The song is really brought to life, is uplifting and filled with soul. Other versions, which stand out, are by: Sinead O’Connor, Stevie Nicks, Cee Lo Green and Sugarland.

13: Auld Lang Syne. The only track not produced by David Foster. This one is produced by Rod Stewart & Kevin Savigar. I repeat: produced by Rod Stewart & Kevin Savigar! It is just great to see these two names together, thinking back on all their merits together. Moreover, recorded with band member J’anna Jacoby and new member Emerson Swinford and vocals produced by Paul Warren. This is surely the first recording with band members in a long, long time. An old Scottish folk melody with lyrics collected and reworked by Robert Burns, maybe most associated with the celebration of the new calendar year. As well as celebrating the New Year, “Auld Lang Syne” is very widely used to symbolise other “endings/new beginnings” – including farewells. Now, in hindsight, we know what a new beginning it was to mark; the beginning of Rod’s second phase as songwriter and the return to studio with a band instead of session players. This version is nothing less than masterful, there is no use recommending other versions as they all pale in comparison.

Deluxe Editon / Target Editon Bonus tracks:
14. What Child Is This. Basically this is the old traditional English tune “Greensleeves” with other lyrics making it into a Christmas carol. Violin virtuoso Caroline Campbell have a violin solo and session singer Michelle Lewis are on back-up vocals. They add a certain nerve to the song, but I would have preferred the violin mastery of J’anna instead; she really knows how to play the violin to suit Rod’s voice, I love the way her violin intertwines, swirls around or just echoes Rod, the timing always perfect. While I am talking violins; Lindsey Stirling plays this one beautifully. Vanessa Williams’ version also stands out.

15: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire). The most performed Christmas song in US, written in 1944 during the burning hot summer. Made famous by Nat King Cole and recorded by a legion of notable artists. Rod’s interpretation and the arrangements do not plough any new ground and the song stalls early on. Both Christina Aguilera and Toni Braxton have made noteworthy recording.

16: Silver Bells: I hate this song, and it would be a better world if it had not been written. I guess Rod’s version is as good or better than any other…it’s just that I cannot stand the sly, imbecile melody. The fact that this song has gained the amount of popularity does not stand to reason.

OK, in summary there are more good than bad tracks here. Even when skipping the Buble and Fitzgerald duets and the gruesome “Silver Bells”, what remains is still impressive within the limitations of the genre. I will probably be playing this every November and December for the years to come along with other Christmas music. Not only because I am a Rod fan but also because the record is actually quite good.

Promoting via TV:
Rod must really have had a busy period the last months of 2012. Not fully finished promoting his autobiography he started to promote the Chrismas album. He appeared as guest on numerous TV shows often performing live using his own musicians.

Also he made two quite different TV specials, one from US and one from UK, both with running time around 50 minutes.
Rod’s American TV special was filmed in September 2012 at the Southern California landmark: Villa de Leon, a lush private residence overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Pacific Palisades, California. It featured most of the guest artist and studio musicians from the album performing songs from the Christmas album only. Fun watching despite the fact that the audience seemed a bit picked for the occasion and rehearsed.

The UK TV special was taped in November 2012 in the great hall at Stirling Castle in Scotland. Stirling Castle is one of the largest castles in Scotland and has played an important role throughout history. It resides majestically on a hill with steep cliffs on three sides. The show included special guest Kylie Minouge, Scottish violin player Nicola Bendetti, and a local choir. Unfortunately, they had flown in Michael Buble. His presence was just irritating; his boring voice added nothing to the music. Rod was backed by his band. In addition David Foster was on piano. The show held a big surprise as “Can’t Stop Me Now” was performed for the first time beating official release by half a year. The flow of the show is somewhat interrupted by interview segments. I am in favour of interviews with Rod, he can really come up with answers both informative and funny. However, that demands some skill and preparation by the interviewer which was totally lacking. How could she land such a job?
Rod also gave a marvellous performance of Auld Lang Syne at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall.

My wish for Christmas is of course that each new album release from Rod is promoted with the same use of resources as this one.

Jan Kittelsen
Rod photo by Jill Facey