‘Tis the season for new Holiday Music, and as I continue to maintain what I always hope will be one of the most comprehensive lists of 2016 New Release and Reissue Holiday Music and Movies, this year there’s some playlists in the mix. Amazon just sent over news that they’ve launched Acoustic Christmas, an Amazon Music Original playlist featuring twenty nine original and classic holiday recordings from a wide range of artists like Train, Zella Day, Us the Duo, Sara Watkins, as well as Billy Bragg and Joe Henry. The new collection is available exclusively for streaming on Amazon Music—both Amazon Music Unlimited and Prime Music.
More From the Official Announcement: In addition to mainstream artists such as Train and Zella Day, the artist roster for Acoustic Christmas highlights established members of the Americana community, including; Trampled by Turtles, Hayes Carll, and Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins. Emerging artists like Son Little, Keaton Henson, and Little Scream are also featured on this broad and eclectic playlist.
“I feel like there’s always anticipation leading up to Christmas, we’re all just waiting for this special time of year. ‘I Miss You Christmas’ is my way of literally singing praise to my favorite holiday,” said Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train.
The song selection for Acoustic Christmas reflects the diverse group of artists involved, including a mix of covers of holiday classics and original compositions. Watkins’ “The Holidays with You” is an upbeat original, while Billy Bragg and Joe Henry delivered a plaintive rendition of the late Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December,” recorded during their recent U.S. tour.
“The moment that we were first reached with an invitation to contribute a song to Amazon’s holiday playlist, the two of us were en route through an autumnal rain from the big city to the mystic hamlet of Woodstock, NY. Eager to participate and knowing time was short, we pulled guitars from the bay of our small touring bus and almost without second thought heard ourselves join voices as we bounced along, rehearsing as we traveled what proved to be the only choice of song – not only for us as songwriters of the broader folk tradition, but as world citizens desirous of navigating these treacherous times with a nod to both trembling and optimism: Merle Haggard’s seminal blue-collar Christmas meditation, ‘If We Make It Through December’” explain Billy Bragg and Joe Henry.
Additionally, Escondido’s beautiful version of “Little Drummer Boy” stands alongside newcomer Samuel Larsen’s acoustic-pop take on Brooks & Dunn’s “It Won’t Be Christmas Without You,” Son Little’s “What Child is This?” and American folk pop singers, Us the Duo’s newly-written song “Feels like Christmas”.
“This has always been my favorite Christmas song, partly because it uses the melody of Greensleeves– I think it fits perfectly with the air of mystery suggested in the lyrics.” – Son Little
The result is a timeless mix of songs showcasing the best characteristics of both acoustic and holiday music.
Acoustic Christmas Track List:
