Jim Creeggan - double bass, bass guitar, singing
Tyler Stewart - drums, singing
Steven Page - singing, acoustic and electric guitars
Ed Robertson - acoustic and electric guitars, singing
Kevin Hearn - keyboards, accordion, singing, electric guitar
In the coming months, like all other years, we'll undoubtedly be opening gift wrapped packages continuing the usual array of sweaters, neckties, pajamas and slippers. But don't put `em on this year. It's time to get BARENAKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Desperation Records/Warner Bros. Records).
BARENAKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS is the new wintertime treat coming Oct. 5 from Barenaked Ladies. It's filled with 20 Yuletide and Hanukkah delights, both original and seasonal standards, but rest assured that not all is reverent and solemn. As BNL's Ed Robertson confirms, "I hasten to say there's a bit of tomfoolery involved." Would we expect anything else? Robertson explains, "We had been asked by fans when we were going to do this, we have done a lot of holiday time shows and have built up quite a repertoire of songs. It seemed like a logical extension.” Band mate Kevin Hearn adds that the group ultimately decided "it also seemed like something fun for us to do." As Robertson declares, "Barenaked for the holidays! Who doesn't want to be that?" But seriously, he adds, "It's a really fun record, and we're really proud of it."
BNL's original contributions to BARENAKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS are welcome additions to the season's sonic library. "Elf's Lament" -- which features a guest appearance by Canadian crooner Michael Bublé -- delves into the unrecognized indignities of being Santa's sidekicks. "Snowman" is a reflection of the melancholy side of winter citizenry, while "Footprints" takes the listener on a crunchy country stroll over snow-covered ground. "Christmastime (Oh Yeah)" gets into the seasonal spirit with neighborhood snapshots, and the jazzy "Christmas Pics" ruminates on family photographic traditions. BARENAKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS also includes "Green Christmas," BNL's contribution to the 2000 film "Dr. Suess's How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
And BNL's Steven Page fortifies the under-supplied Festival of Lights repertoire with "Hanukkah Blessings," which joins the Judaic standards "Hanukkah O Hanukkah" and a mandolin-propelled "I Have a Little Dreidel."
BARENAKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS cruises through arrangements of other traditional favorites as well, including a frenetic "Jingle Bells," "I Saw Three Ships," "O Holy Night," a reprise of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" with special guest Sarah McLachlan, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Carol of the Bells," a mostly acapella "Sleigh Ride" and "Auld Lang Syne." BNL also interprets some more contemporary holiday fare on BARENAKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS, including Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" and the Band Aid hunger relief single "Do They Know It's Christmas?” Crosby, Stills Nash & Young figure into the album as well, but we'll let that be a surprise in the stocking...
BARENAKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS was recorded in May at Page's farmhouse, Fresh Baked Woods, north of Toronto. A lone Christmas tree with a single set of lights helped set the holiday spirit, and Robertson reports "we had a full turkey dinner one night." And, as is BNL tradition, one track was recorded with the band as barenaked as a baby in a manger, but you'll have to use your imagination to figure out which one that is.
Look for a special BNL holiday tour to celebrate BARENAKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS later this year. |
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