Paul Duffy - Christmas, Vol. 1 (2015)

Music has a power to change our moods and emotions. We all know this, yet sometimes we do not take the time to listen to music. I am also guilty of this. However, when Christmas comes, I never fail to listen. A time of year for happiness, celebration and good wishes from everybody. The soundtrack of Christmas is wonderful. Now I am adding my own small part to this soundtrack, hoping that people can listen and relax, enjoy and feel the spirit of Christmas like I do every year from Christmas music. The 11 tracks I have chosen are just a few of my favourites. Popular music we all know and some less popular but equally brilliant music I have discovered on my travels. My ambition was to create an album filled with beauty, celebration and happiness, as well as giving time to think about the deeper meanings of Christmas.

I have fully used my knowledge and skills as a multi-instrumentalist in creating music for a vast array of ensembles. A talented young man from Preston, UK is playing drums and an even younger special guest, Lauren Brindle is singing beautifully on In The Bleak Midwinter. Everything else you will hear has been recorded by myself over a 12 month period. Some of it was easy. In March I was in Canada along with a lot of snow. I used the opportunity to take inspiration from this and write music. Later in the year at the peak of Summer, inspiration was not found as easily. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I have enjoyed making it. All of my warmest wishes to you and Happy Christmas.

TRACKLIST

01. Carol of the Bells
02. A Child Is Born
03. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
04. A Star Is Shining Tonight
05. Ave Maria
06. In the Bleak Midwinter (feat. Lauren Brindle)
07. Joy to the World
08. Silver Bells
09. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
10. The First Noel
11. Rocking Carol