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A JANN ARDEN CHRISTMAS, OCTOBER 30

A JANN ARDEN CHRISTMAS, OCTOBER 30

JannXmas

CELEBRATED ARTIST’S FIRST COLLECTION OF SEASONAL STANDARDS

“It was an amazing experience making what could be the finest record Jann has ever made…it just happened to be a Christmas record.”

- Bob Rock

23 OCTOBER 2015 (Toronto, ON) - Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jann Arden will release her first-ever Christmas album, A Jann Arden Christmas, October 30 via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. One would be forgiven for wondering if Arden hadn’t made a Christmas record already – it seems such a natural idea for the JUNO-winning artist whose 20+ year, 1.5-million selling, 12-album career has made such a mark on Canadian culture. As she tells it, the time was right to do so now. “I always wanted to make a Christmas record, and I wanted to do something really, really special and timeless. There are Christmas albums that I listen to year after year: the Carpenters, Streisand, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald – these records were the soundtracks to such wonderful memories and happy times.” To create this collection, Jann Arden has again collaborated with iconic producer Bob Rock, having first worked together in 2010 on the single I Can’t Make You Stay and subsequent albums Uncover Me 2 (2011)and Everything Almost (2014). A Jann Arden Christmas was recorded and mixed at Toronto’s Revolution Recording, with performers including members of her touring band and also a seven-piece symphonic string section. A Jann Arden Christmas includes 13 songs, ranging from the sacred to the secular, opening with It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, the recording of which Arden views as an ode to Mary Poppins. “It's a challenging song to sing as it's very rapid fire and wordy but also so fun. We kept it grounded in a traditional arrangement, with Dave Pierce adding the strings to the equation to solidify the whole 1950s vibe. It makes me want to pour myself an eggnog and sit in front of a fireplace.” Listeners will also be treated to a fresh take on the enduring classic,  The Christmas Song. “This is one of the most played Christmas songs of all time and for a good reason, as it beautifully illustrates the infectious spirit of the holidays along with the straightforward sentiments of home and family. Bob Rock had me singing it at the bottom end of my range which I think gave it such a warm quality. It's one of my personal favourites on the record.” Other standouts (along with Arden’s reminiscences) include O Holy Night “such a beautiful song and one of the most difficult ones I have ever had to sing,” Silent Night “We were all inspired listening to Elvis Presley's elegant and soulful version from the late sixties. The vocal is one take sung in my basement from the demo sessions. I never redid it,” Silver Bells “It could very easily be a pop song even if it wasn't Christmas! The added melody in the break down gives  a refreshing new spin on an old classic. I think people will find themselves singing along even if they don't want to!” and the much loved The Little Drummer Boy, which drew inspiration from the preeminent Bing Crosby/David Bowie version and also struck out on a new path. As Jann Arden recalls, “Bob, Jamie Edwards and I decided to do a fairly modern take on this tried and true classic. I wanted to stay away from the ‘pa-rum-pa-pum-pum’ riff and come up with something a little more modern. I love how the song turned out.” Jann Arden is a celebrated artist, with 19 Top Ten singles and eight JUNO Awards. She is also the recipient of 10 SOCAN Awards, four Western Canadian Music Awards, a Much Music Video Award, 3 Prairie Music Awards and an Alberta Recording Industry Association Award. Jann Arden is also the author of three books: If I Knew, Don’t You Think I’d Tell You?, I’ll Tell You One Damn Thing, and That’s All I Know!, and her memoir Falling Backwards.  Further, she has expanded her artistic scope with her own CBC Radio program, having sat as judge on Global’s Canada Sings, narrating Emergency, making television sitcom appearances on Ellen and Corner Gas, as well as appearing several memorable times on The Rick Mercer Report. Jann Arden sums it best herself: “I hope that WE - all the wonderful musicians, engineers, my producer Bob Rock - have made a record that people can listen to for many years to come. A record that brings joy, peace and fond memories as you surround yourselves with good food, good friends and family this Christmas!”

jannarden.com

A JANN ARDEN CHRISTMAS TRACKLISTING It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas The Christmas Song War Is Over O Holy Night Silver Bells I’ll Be Home For Christmas Medley Blue Christmas The Little Drummer Boy Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree Silent Night Please Come Home For Christmas It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year