1LP Edition Release Date: 2/12/2024 Label: First Word Records
CD Edition Release Date: 2/12/2024 Label: First Word Records
Description
First Word Records are very proud to bring you 'A Christmas Cwtch', the brand new album from highly-acclaimed Welsh jazz-harpist, Amanda Whiting.
Expertly crafted with love, care and dedication, 'A Christmas Cwtch' takes on assorted classics from the likes of Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Holst and Tchaikovsky, and re-presents them with original arrangements by Amanda and her accomplished trio. The end result is a 14-track selection pack of feel-good seasonal jazz-harp magic, including recent singles 'Peace Piece' and 'Skating'.
Amanda says "just mention Christmas and you hear Guaraldi, Bill Evans and the sound of sleigh bells and harps. It's my favourite time of year and the music evokes everything warm and cwtchy. Sparkling lights, mince pies, mulled wine and nostalgia around the tree."
On the word 'cwtch', Amanda explains that "a 'cwtch' is the most important word to Welsh folk. It's a hug, with a little squeeze. It's a feeling. It's cosy, loving and safe. I wanted this album to hold you, cwtch you and allow you to indulge."
Inspired by artists like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, Amanda is a classically trained virtuoso, well established in the UK jazz scene, with releases on Jazzman and Albert's Favourites.
Her most recent projects were released on Worldwide Award-winning UK label, First Word; 'Beyond the Midnight Sun' (with label-mate and Welsh Music Prize nominee, Don Leisure) and the hugely popular 2024 album 'The Liminality of Her', which received widespread praise in outlets such as Jazzwise, Mojo, Clash, Bandcamp, AllMusic, Somewhere Soul, HHV, Apple Music and Harp Column.
She has had wide support on the airwaves from tastemakers such as Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music), Patrick Forge (NTS), Soweto Kinch (BBC Radio 3), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired), Tina Edwards (Soho Radio), Laurent Garnier (FiP) and Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2).
'A Christmas Cwtch' exemplifies Amanda's talent and personality simultaneously, celebrating an array of her favourite things; the harp, her Welshness, her love of jazz, her love of classical music and her love of Christmas. This album is an absolute delight, and the perfect soundtrack for the season. An essential stocking filler!
A1 The Night Before (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town) (Intro)
A2 In The Bleak Midwinter
A3 Christmas Is Coming
A4 Christmas Time Is Here
A5 Sugarplum
A6 Happiness Theme
A7 Little Elfy
B1 Skating
B2 Peace Piece
B3 Deck The Halls
B4 The Christmas Song
B5 O Christmas Tree
B6 We Three Kings
B7 Has He Been (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town) (Outro)
1 The Night Before (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town) (Intro)
2 In The Bleak Midwinter
3 Christmas Is Coming
4 Christmas Time Is Here
5 Sugarplum
6 Happiness Theme
7 Little Elfy
8 Skating
9 Peace Piece
10 Deck The Halls
11 The Christmas Song
12 O Christmas Tree
13 We Three Kings
14 Has He Been (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town) (Outro)
Refund Policy
All original product is sealed or brand new condition. However, if an item is defective (sealed and unused) Please send us proof of item and we will be happy to exchange the defective copy for a replacement of the same item within the first week after receiving the return item from you. If a replacement isn't available, we will offer you a store credit or refund (your choice). There will not be a shipping charge for this exchange.
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