Kirsty Almeida Winter Songs

‘Winter Songs’ is the new seasonal release from Manchester based singer/songwriter Kirsty Almeida. The album is a collection of ten delightful tracks reflecting both the magic and darkness that the season brings.

Kirsty Almeida (born in Gibraltar) is a rock / folk / blues / jazz singer of some substance and undoubted talent – recalling the vocal skill and range of singers such as Elkie Brooks, and more recently, Paloma Faith.

Winter Songs was recorded in the Manchester’s Limefield studios   (where Corinne Bailey Rae recorded). The disc includes originals: ‘Merry Christmas (Let’s Have Some Fun)’, ‘Tick Tock Tick’, ‘Just Cancel Christmas’ and ‘Cold Lonely Blue’. They nestle snugly alongside several beautiful covers including a stunning reworking of Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’ and a soulful acoustic version of Mariah Carey’s hit song, ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’. The album also features ‘January Man’ by one of the UK’s finest song writers- Ian Reynolds and Andy Green’s uplifting re-mix of a Kirsty Almeida’s live favourite – ‘Shine All Your Light’.

Listening to ‘Merry Christmas (Lets Have Fun)’  is like entering a box of toys dressed as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Fruity horns sound squeakily abrupt …. and everything melts down like Boxing Day chocs left too close to the fire.  The whole thing tick-tocks along like a clockwork poodle.

Christmas favourite ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ is performed acoustically on this album. A plucked guitar pillows against the slightly velvety texture  of Kirsty’s honest voice. This is a song full of sincerity and light.  ‘River’ is a powerful exposition. A tinkling grand piano creates a fittingly sophisticated atmosphere. The vocals are full of chocolate chip goodness . This lament is driven, with subtle hidden depths.

‘January Man’ has a glaze of melancholy all over it,  and a city-hum style. A sweet, but moving number. But beware, she will coax you in with her long cool fingers of sound .

On ‘Shine All Your Light’ you can almost feel the snowflakes settle upon your tingling nose. A soft tapping rhythm helps to push the melody gently along. Gather your loved ones together. Sit by the fire. And shine. To this.

For more info click here: http://kirstyalmeida.co.uk/wintersongs/press/

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words -© Neil_Mach December 2012 –