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Track Listings
| 1. My Favorite Things |
| 2. Carol of the Bells |
| 3. Sleigh Ride |
| 4. Christmas Paradise |
| 5. Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday |
| 6. Chanukah Prayer |
| 7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas |
| 8. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm |
| 9. Christmas in the Air |
| 10. Do You Hear What I Hear |
| 11. This Christmas |
| 12. New Year's Day |
Editorial Reviews
Carole King's first ever holiday album, A Holiday Carole, will be released by Hear Music/Concord Music Group on November 1st, 2011. Produced by her daughter Louise Goffin, the album's 12 songs artfully blend the sacred and the secular with an eclectic mix of well-chosen standards and newly-written material. Goffin co-wrote three original tracks on the album, including the Latin-flavored "Christmas in Paradise," on which she collaborated with Grammy-winners George Noriega and Jodi Marr, the sublime Goffin/Marr composition "Christmas In The Air," and the deeply moving "New Year's Day," co-written with renowned songsmith Guy Chambers.
"As an experienced producer," King remembers, "Louise's first question to me as her artist was, 'What songs do you like?'" After compiling a list of favorites, Goffin went on the hunt for more unusual tracks, coming up with tunes like William Bell & Booker T. Jones' Stax classic "Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday." King puts her own indelible stamp on the music, lending it a special seasonal flair.
For King, the album's emotional highlight is undoubtedly "Chanukah Prayer." "Louise had the brilliant idea to take the Chanukah prayer that I learned from my parents, and they learned from their parents, and back through generations," she explains. "She said 'I want to record you singing that and I'm going to build a track around it.'" The result is a warm, jazz-inflected tune that brings together three generations on vocals: King, her daughter, and her grandson.
In a career with innumerable highlights, King has reached new pinnacles in recent years including 2010's bestselling Troubadour Reunion album and tour with James Taylor, American Idol devoting an entire episode to her music this season, and a forthcoming memoir due out in 2012.
"As an experienced producer," King remembers, "Louise's first question to me as her artist was, 'What songs do you like?'" After compiling a list of favorites, Goffin went on the hunt for more unusual tracks, coming up with tunes like William Bell & Booker T. Jones' Stax classic "Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday." King puts her own indelible stamp on the music, lending it a special seasonal flair.
For King, the album's emotional highlight is undoubtedly "Chanukah Prayer." "Louise had the brilliant idea to take the Chanukah prayer that I learned from my parents, and they learned from their parents, and back through generations," she explains. "She said 'I want to record you singing that and I'm going to build a track around it.'" The result is a warm, jazz-inflected tune that brings together three generations on vocals: King, her daughter, and her grandson.
In a career with innumerable highlights, King has reached new pinnacles in recent years including 2010's bestselling Troubadour Reunion album and tour with James Taylor, American Idol devoting an entire episode to her music this season, and a forthcoming memoir due out in 2012.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"In December I will be,
a baubled bangled Christmas Tree..."
So sang Carole King, whimsically, on "Chicken Soup With Rice" the highlight of her 1975 Maurice Sendak "Really Rosie" collaboration. That landmark children's album marked a spirited departure in style and performance from her earlier more somber Ode albums. It's with that same joie de vivre that Carole King performs the 12 songs on her just released "A Holiday Carole."
Too busy writing her memoir, "A Natural Woman," Our Miss King turned the creative "reins" over to her daughter Louise Goffin to not only write the original songs on the album, but, also oversee production. r Louise, a long celebrated singer/songwriter in her own rite, rises to the occasion and delivers us a Carole King album, that, even though there are no Carole King compositions and only a few tracks on which she plays piano is as true to the artist's vision as anything she herself would have produced.
I guess the fact that Louise was born shortly after Carole left a recording studio back in 1960, might account for the fact that she is totally at home in the recording studio. Louise proves to be as talented as her mom and pop (Gerry Goffin) in crafting and producing songs which perfectly complement her client's strengths. Louise takes out a whole new pallet of musical colors and makes this album sparkle and shine, as much as, well, a baubled bangled Christmas tree.
The more one listens to each track, the more you'll hear hidden sounds, instruments, and flourishes, which breathe new life into seasonal songs we've all heard a million times.
The first electric guitar rift of the opener, the classic, "My Favorite Thing" lets you in on the fact that you're about to hear a seasonal album unlike any you've heard before. The jazz-tinged arrangement, as well as Carole's sly vocals, brings back the groove of "It's Too Late" and "Only Love is Real." The arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" is as original as any I have ever heard. Carole knows her vocal limitations and wisely allows a choir handle the frenetic vocals on this one.
While Carole does a fine job singing the traditional fare included ("Sleigh Ride," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Do You Hear What I Hear?," it's the original and offbeat choices which makes this one holiday album you should check out. "Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday" wisely capitalizes on the type of mournful, yet, celebratory ballad for which Carole first rose to stardom as a recording artist. The latin-tinged "Chirstmas Paradise," upbeat "Christmas in the Air" and haunting closing ballad, "New Year's Day" are as catchy and memorable as anything you'd find on radio today.
"New Year's Day" stands a good chance of becoming a holiday classic in its own right. Though she didn't write it, this Louise Goffin/Guy Chambers collaboration would fit in on any of Carole's many past collections.
Oddly enough, my favorite track on the album is Carole's version of Wham's "Last Christmas" which is only available on the Target exclusive version of the album. Carole's take on this one is pure Brill Building/girl group gold. Though she may be approaching 70, her talents are still as timeless and engaging as when she, as a teenage from Brooklyn, stormed the world of American pop music.
a baubled bangled Christmas Tree..."
So sang Carole King, whimsically, on "Chicken Soup With Rice" the highlight of her 1975 Maurice Sendak "Really Rosie" collaboration. That landmark children's album marked a spirited departure in style and performance from her earlier more somber Ode albums. It's with that same joie de vivre that Carole King performs the 12 songs on her just released "A Holiday Carole."
Too busy writing her memoir, "A Natural Woman," Our Miss King turned the creative "reins" over to her daughter Louise Goffin to not only write the original songs on the album, but, also oversee production. r Louise, a long celebrated singer/songwriter in her own rite, rises to the occasion and delivers us a Carole King album, that, even though there are no Carole King compositions and only a few tracks on which she plays piano is as true to the artist's vision as anything she herself would have produced.
I guess the fact that Louise was born shortly after Carole left a recording studio back in 1960, might account for the fact that she is totally at home in the recording studio. Louise proves to be as talented as her mom and pop (Gerry Goffin) in crafting and producing songs which perfectly complement her client's strengths. Louise takes out a whole new pallet of musical colors and makes this album sparkle and shine, as much as, well, a baubled bangled Christmas tree.
The more one listens to each track, the more you'll hear hidden sounds, instruments, and flourishes, which breathe new life into seasonal songs we've all heard a million times.
The first electric guitar rift of the opener, the classic, "My Favorite Thing" lets you in on the fact that you're about to hear a seasonal album unlike any you've heard before. The jazz-tinged arrangement, as well as Carole's sly vocals, brings back the groove of "It's Too Late" and "Only Love is Real." The arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" is as original as any I have ever heard. Carole knows her vocal limitations and wisely allows a choir handle the frenetic vocals on this one.
While Carole does a fine job singing the traditional fare included ("Sleigh Ride," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Do You Hear What I Hear?," it's the original and offbeat choices which makes this one holiday album you should check out. "Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday" wisely capitalizes on the type of mournful, yet, celebratory ballad for which Carole first rose to stardom as a recording artist. The latin-tinged "Chirstmas Paradise," upbeat "Christmas in the Air" and haunting closing ballad, "New Year's Day" are as catchy and memorable as anything you'd find on radio today.
"New Year's Day" stands a good chance of becoming a holiday classic in its own right. Though she didn't write it, this Louise Goffin/Guy Chambers collaboration would fit in on any of Carole's many past collections.
Oddly enough, my favorite track on the album is Carole's version of Wham's "Last Christmas" which is only available on the Target exclusive version of the album. Carole's take on this one is pure Brill Building/girl group gold. Though she may be approaching 70, her talents are still as timeless and engaging as when she, as a teenage from Brooklyn, stormed the world of American pop music.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This album is a holiday album that makes you feel "at home". It's one that you'll listen to while putting up Christmas decorations or if you have a Christmas party, or if you just want to chill. If you're looking for a "Barbra Streisand" type of Christmas album, this one is not for you. However, if you're sitting at home with your family, or going for a drive to see Christmas lights, pop it in your stereo. You won't be disappointed. If you're doing some Christmas shopping, don't be surprised if "Christmas Paradise" or "Christmas in the Air" pops in your head. It happened to me! Who would have thought-----Carole King making a Christmas album! You'll hear classic Carole King in the song "New Year's Day" with her beautiful piano playing. The song was co-written by Louise Goffin who produced the album for her mother. If you're looking for a Christmas album, check this one out. You could hear "New Years Day" on Carole Kings website www.caroleking.com.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Carole is quite the music executive. Give her a project of material and she knows how to tackle it and make it all hers. I am reminded of "Really Rosie" with this collection, which, happens to one of my favorite collections Carole has graced us with. Carole has taken mostly classic material from famed composers and puts a warm glow on each piece, adding gorgeous musical nuances throughout. I frankly didn't expect much when I downloaded this tonight from Amazon, but knew from first listen it will be in my rotation throughout all my holiday seasons to come. Thanks Carole!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Superb Christmas Album
This CD was a SUPER hit with the whole family.
Definitely worth getting a copy for next year if you're in the market for Holiday music!
Definitely worth getting a copy for next year if you're in the market for Holiday music!
Published 2 months ago by JinPhilly
carole king a holiday carole
i love this cd. carole king is awesome. ordered it from amazon got it 4 days later. the whole cd is very enjoyable.the price was great.
Published 2 months ago by donnie
A Holiday Disaster
This was one of the worst holiday collections I have ever heard. I am a huge fan of Carole King and expected a joyful presentation of holiday songs. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bird Woman
It's carole king!! after aLL
I was always a fan of Carole King. I love her choice of songs,especially the Hanukkah Prayer.
Beautiful Carole,and thank you!!
Beautiful Carole,and thank you!!
Published 3 months ago by Sharon Morris
Nice variety CD
This is my first CD by Carole King - I'm a little late in discovering her. This one is very enjoyable with a lot of different takes on the holidays.
Published 4 months ago by sandal lover
Garbage
This is without any doubt the worst Ms. King has ever had the nerve to release. It seems nowadays de riguer for artists to release Christmas albums as moneymakers, and that is all... Read more
Published 4 months ago by With Her From The Beginning
Fresh and New Holiday Songs!
If one of your favorite CDs is Tapestry, then you will love this new Holiday CD by Carole King. It has a nice collection of songs and will become a great addition to my Favorite... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Debra Tedesco
Disappointment
Being a Carole King fan, I was really looking forward to this CD but was greatly disappointed. It was just ho-hum, I sort of feel like Carole just "dialed it in. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Connie A. Rogers
Carole King Holiday music
I love Carole King... but this is not her best...I would have chosen songs that fit her voice better and done arragements that complimented, not fought her voice and style. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Walle Landenberger
Wonderful CD
I received this CD fast and on time. The CD itself is superb. Not a bad song on here. I recommend this if you enjoyed her music years ago- and her voice has only gotten better with... Read more
Published 4 months ago by David R. Sampson
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