Yearly, a sleigh-full of Christmas music will get launched. Cher and the Cowsills got here to prominence within the ’60s, however they nonetheless possess the distinctive sounds that introduced them their preliminary success.
TONYA MOSLEY, HOST:
That is FRESH AIR. Yearly, a sleigh filled with Christmas music will get launched, and rock critic Ken Tucker has been listening to loads of it. He is narrowed down his listing to 2 new releases. Cher has put out her first Christmas album, which can also be her first assortment of unique materials in a decade. Ken additionally actually likes the brand new three-song vacation EP from The Cowsills, the household group that first gained fame within the Nineteen Sixties and was the inspiration for “The Partridge Household” TV present. Here is his overview.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “DJ PLAY A CHRISTMAS SONG”)
CHER: (Singing) Nobody on the streets, and town is quiet. I needs to be asleep by the warmth of the fireplace, however I am on my means out. And I’ll keep out. I can really feel the heartbeat as I stroll within the door. Take me via the group to the center of the ground. The purple and the inexperienced lights are hitting me good. Nothing extra. Nothing much less. I obtained one request. DJ play a Christmas music. I wish to be dancing all evening lengthy. It is chilly exterior, nevertheless it’s heat in right here. And that is the one factor I need this 12 months. DJ…
KEN TUCKER, BYLINE: What’s that autotune I hear? Why, it is Cher coming down our chimneys with a brand new album referred to as “Christmas.” Its lead off minimize is the music I simply performed referred to as “DJ Play A Christmas Music.” It is designed to remind you of her final large hit 25 years in the past, “Imagine.” This album is full of visitor stars together with Stevie Marvel, Cyndi Lauper and Michael Buble, however I most loved her solo crooning on a properly wistful tune referred to as “I Like Christmas.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “I LIKE CHRISTMAS”)
CHER: (Singing) I like Christmas. I like an actual Christmas tree. I like a mall Santa Claus that lets me sit on his knee. I like an enormous, purple bow and mistletoe with you beneath. ‘Trigger I do know it means you will be kissing me. I like Christmas, I like a jingle bells music. I prefer it greatest when my mates are there to jingle alongside. You and me in concord with everybody the singing on the high of my lungs. Christmas time…
TUCKER: Oh, positive, there are a couple of clunkers right here. Sorry, Cher. Nobody however Chuck Berry can rock it via his “Run Rudolph Run.” And I am afraid she’s put within the shade of Darlene Love’s radiance on their duet of “Christmas (Child Please Come Dwelling).” However that is no low-cost, throwaway effort. Cher’s phrasing, particularly with out the autotune, is terrific, and the preparations aren’t sticky with candy-cane sentiment. Plus, she affords one thing totally different for a vacation album – a New Yr’s music.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “THIS WILL BE OUR YEAR”)
CHER: (Singing) The heat of your love’s like the heat of the solar. And this shall be our 12 months. Took a very long time to come back. Do not let go of my hand now the darkness has gone. This shall be our 12 months. Took a very long time to come back. And I will not neglect the way in which you held me up once I was down. And I will not neglect the way in which you stated, darling, I like you. You gave me religion to go on. Now we’re there, and we have solely simply begun. And this shall be our 12 months. Took a very long time to come back.
TUCKER: The Cowsills was a household pop group that had an enormous hit in 1967 referred to as “The Rain, The Park & Different Issues.” After they began out as children and had that hit, their mother, Barbara, went on the street with them once they toured, which impressed the Seventies sitcom “The Partridge Household.” The present model of The Cowsills are siblings Susan, Bob and Paul Cowsill, and so they’ve simply put out a three-song EP titled “A Christmas Providing From The Cowsills” that features this pretty music referred to as “Christmastime (Music For Marissa).”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “CHRISTMASTIME (SONG FOR MARISSA)”)
THE COWSILLS: (Singing) It is Christmastime, a particular time when all of the world shares the marvel of the vacation with evergreens and caroling and logs by the fireplace, the sensation that love is in all places. Now the snow falls so softly and silent tonight because it blankets a peaceable world. Yuletide…
TUCKER: Through the years, Susan Cowsill has carried out backup vocals for a few of my favourite acts, similar to Carlene Carter, Dwight Twilley and The Smithereens. She had a duo act with Vicki Peterson of The Bangles and has put out a couple of solo albums. The present Cowsills lineup does a positive job of reproducing the household’s unique, stunning, shut harmonies, as could be heard on their model of “Winter Wonderland.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “WINTER WONDERLAND”)
THE COWSILLS: (Singing) An exquisite sight, we’re joyful tonight, strolling in a winter wonderland. Sleigh bells ring. Are you listening? Within the lane, snow is glistening. An exquisite sight, we’re joyful tonight, strolling in a winter wonderland. Gone away is a bluebird. Right here to remain is a brand new chicken. He sings a love music as we go alongside, strolling in a winter wonderland.
TUCKER: Each Cher and The Cowsills got here to prominence within the Nineteen Sixties, however they nonetheless possess the distinctive sounds that introduced them their preliminary success. Our heat emotions towards them are rekindled by these new releases, which is in itself applicable because the chilly season settles in from a lot of the nation. Completely satisfied holidays to you.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “CHRISTMAS AIN’T CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU”)
CHER: (Singing) It is Christmas Eve, and I will not sleep tonight. I have been a great woman. Properly, a minimum of I’ve tried. So come on, hurry down the chimney with a kiss for me. And let me wrap my arms round you. I am so fortunate that I discovered you.
MOSLEY: Ken Tucker reviewed Cher’s new album referred to as “Christmas” and the digital three-song EP referred to as “A Christmas Providing From The Cowsills.” And there shall be extra Christmas music on Wednesday when David Byrne, co-founder and frontman of The Speaking Heads, joins Terry to play a few of his favourite Christmas recordings. His playlist contains songs by Prince and Run-DMC. And so they’ll play one among Terry’s new favorites, a music written and sung by David Byrne. If you happen to get depressed round Christmas, there shall be songs for you, too.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
MOSLEY: Tomorrow on FRESH AIR, we keep in mind actor Andre Braugher, who died final week on the age of 61. He is greatest identified for his roles within the TV collection “Murder” as a police detective and within the comedy collection “Brooklyn 9-9” as a police captain. He was additionally acclaimed for his stage performances in Shakespeare performs. We’ll function interviews with him from 1995 and 2006. I hope you may be part of us.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
MOSLEY: To maintain up with what’s on the present and to get highlights of our interviews, observe us on Instagram – @nprfreshair. FRESH AIR’s govt producer is Danny Miller. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham. Our interviews and evaluations are produced and edited by Amy Salit, Phyllis Myers, Roberta Shorrock, Sam Briger, Lauren Krenzel, Heidi Saman, Ann Marie Baldonado, Therese Madden, Seth Kelley and Susan Nyakundi. Our digital media producer is Molly Seavy-Nesper. Thea Challoner directed right now’s present. For Terry Gross, I am Tonya Mosley.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
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