AM delivers holiday music for the first time with "Holiday Happiness & Cheer" set to hit the digital world on November 17th, 2009 via Filter US Recordings. Included is a beautifully haunting rendition of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here" (from the classic animated television Peanuts Special "A Charlie Brown Christmas") complete with moody bossa influenced guitar, creepy synth work and McCartney style bass lines. Also included is an original song "I'm Home For The Holidays" - a spacious orchestral folk song that focuses on the somber elements of holiday time.



Holiday Happiness & Cheer Track Listing:

1. Christmas Time Is Here

2. I’m Home For The Holidays

3. Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental)



Note from AM:

A Charlie Brown Christmas was my favorite holiday TV special growing up. And it's one of the few that still has a lasting relevance to me. As a kid I wasn't familiar with who was providing the spooky, moody jazz that accompanied the cartoon. Later on I discovered it was jazz musician Vince Guaraldi. As I learned more about Guaraldi's influences I discovered we shared a mutual love for Latin music, namely Brazilian Bossa Nova and as I delved into his catalog I became an immediate fan. Needless to say this was a song I was very excited, and terrified, to record. I decided to keep the song in the original key and keep it's shuffle type feel. Having been deeply influenced by Antonio Carlos Jobim's flawless guitar playing I decided to use nylon string guitar as the basis for the arrangement. Above all I tried to retain the songs' ultimate haunting quality. A bitter sweet, ingeniously arranged Christmas song.



After being nudged along by friends, managers, agents etc. to write an original holiday song I finally agreed. And at this point I'm really glad I did. I hooked up with my neighbor, and talented producer Brad Gordon and we went to town on recording my song "I'm Home For The Holidays" (as well as my cover of "Christmas Time Is Here"). I wanted to write something that dealt more with the dreadful elements many people are faced with going home that time of year. Although for some it can be one of the best times of year, for others it can be obligatory, isolating and depressing. I wanted to reflect that sentiment, and above all, find some kind of relevance in it. I put more strings on this recording than I ever have and it was fun to explore a more "orchestral" type arrangement.



I hope you all enjoy the music.

Happy Holidays,

AM