Darkside of Christmas (Thelonious Punk Productions)
Collette Cooper
Released November 18, 2022
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lfXM_AI-O5iNNly8WyJCPRx00fERCO0Co
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/album/5Nzha1v80UU1b08vptSCgc?si=3VmJseOqTyiH1dJbtEgJpA
About:
This festive season, Collette Cooper provides an alternative take on the
familiar deluge of yuletide projects with Darkside Of Christmas. Reflecting the
current political and social environment caused by the impact of national and
global events, Darkside Of Christmas takes a more poignant approach to the
seasonal album, aiming to recognise the recent difficulties that have been felt
by many around the world, touching on themes of love, loss and empathy, tied
together with wry wit, edgy humour and outstanding musicianship.
Collette has a totally individual, unmistakable voice quality which is
powerful, husky and above all soulful and tells a story with honesty and full
of emotion which can take you from heartbreak to heaven.
While the theme may at first appear saturnine, Darkside Of Christmas’ ultimate
sentiment is an uplifting feeling of spirituality and hope, laced with a
devil-may-care party spirit designed to unify those who feel that the hour of
‘forced fun’ is upon them. Songs such as ‘Run Santa Baby’, sees old Saint Nick
feeling the pinch of frostbite, while Cooper’s rendition of ‘What A Wonderful
World’ sails over the sound of an old honky-tonk piano with the odd broken key,
conjuring the essence of a singalong around the fire after a few too many
glasses of Christmas spirit.
A more personal sentiment is projected on the original track ‘Another Day’ – is
dedicated to Collette’s best friend Claire Bonham, who unexpectedly passed away
in March 2020 (the last time they spent time together was New Year’s Day 2020),
while the classic jazz standard ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ is given a unique
treatment with the addition of the melody from ‘Carol Of The Bells’.
Cooper recruited good friend, Richard Harwood, the principle cellist in the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (the impact of his unrivalled bowmanship is most
intensely felt on their version of ‘Silent Night’). Notable jazz musicians such
as Andy Davies, Kevin Davy (trumpets), Liam Stevens and James Pearson (piano)
greatly enhance the recoding with both their individual and collective
dexterity and flair, while the mellifluous tones of The Kings Voices Gospel Choir
add vibrancy and warmth.
The final jewel in the crown is the addition of legendary British actor Ray
Winstone, who introduces the album by reciting an original poem by Collette
Cooper, setting the tone for what is to come.
Primarily recorded at Abbey Road and Dean Street Studios, with original artwork
by the acclaimed photographer Rankin, Darkside Of Christmas is a distinctive
and stylish work, destined to indulge all of this years’ Scrooges and maybe a
few Tiny Tim’s for good measure!
Track Listing:
1. Silent Night 06:13
2. Ain’t Necessarily So 04:48
3. Another Day 03:04
4. What A Wonderful World 05:51
5. Darkside Of Christmas 04:12
6. Run Santa Baby 04:55
Personnel:
Collette Cooper: vocals
Richard Harwood: cello, hand claps, snow storm
Ray Winstone: voice
Kings Voices: Gospel Choir
Gregory MacDonald: jingle bells, hand claps
Kevin Davy: trumpet
James Pearson: piano
Jan Simson: drums
Andy Davies: trumpet
Liam Stevens: piano
Daniel Malek: bass Jack Parry: guitar
Sarah Meyz: hand claps
Produced by Collette Cooper
Co-producers Gregory MacDonald & Richard Harwood
Strings arranged by Richard Harwood
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios by Gord Davidson, John Barrett, Joe Wyatt, and Sarah Meyz and at Dean Street Studios by Sam Hogg.
Principle Editing by Jamie Allen
Mixed by Tom Allom
Mastering by Naweed at Whitfield Mastering, London
Photography by Rankin
Artwork by Jai Taylor at Jaijo Design
Review:
UK vocalist Collette Cooper provides an alternative take on the often hackneyed yuletide projects with her latest album, Darkside Of Christmas. Reflecting the current political and social environment caused by the impact of national and global events, the album takes a more poignant approach to the usual seasonal offerings, aiming to recognise the recent difficulties that have been felt by many around the world, touching on themes of love, loss and empathy, tied together with wry wit, edgy humour and outstanding musicianship.
Cooper recruited good friend, Richard Harwood, the principle cellist in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra alongside leading London-based jazz musicians such as Andy Davies, Kevin Davy (trumpets), Liam Stevens and James Pearson (piano) who bring their individual as well as collective virtuosity and flair to the songs, while the mellifluous tones of The Kings Voices Gospel Choir add vibrancy and warmth.
The final jewel in the crown is the addition of legendary British actor Ray Winstone, who introduces the album by reciting an original poem by Collette Cooper, setting the tone for what is to come.
Primarily recorded at Abbey Road and Dean Street Studios, with original artwork by the acclaimed photographer Rankin, Darkside Of Christmas is a distinctive and stylish work.
