(from left to right) Jeanne Merchant, Sonu Nigam and Starring Vanya all have new songs for Christmas. Photos: Courtesy of the artist (Merchant), YouTube (Nigam), Alric Fernandes (Vanya)
Jeanne Merchant – “Jesus You’re the Miracle”
There’s starry guitars and an easygoing warmth to vocalist Jeanne Merchant’s Christmas offering, “Jesus You’re The Miracle.” Straight out of Christian pop radio, Merchant’s vocals add vibrancy to what she refers to as “the true essence of Christmas — hope, love, and divine wonder.” A press release adds, “Jeanne’s vision for this track was clear – to create a song that not only celebrates the birth of Christ but also resonates with a modern generation eager for uplifting and meaningful music.”
Starring Vanya – “Christmas Bright”
After releasing her album A Starring Vanya Christmas in 2021, Mumbai singer-songwriter Starring Vanya turns to rock ‘n roll on her festive single this year. “Christmas Bright” – recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis – is inspired by the likes Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis and goes to prove that she can bring the holiday spirit with plenty of gusto. She admits she’s not trying to compete with queens like Mariah Carey, but does want to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
These Hills May Sway x Kamalalalala – “Silent Night”
Among the best-known songs in the Christmas catalog, “Silent Night” is a somber reflection and that’s reason enough perhaps for singer-songwriter Kamal Singh aka Kamalalalala aka Hoirong, his former alt-rock band Lounge Piranha’s bassist Rohan Michael on cello, piano and backing vocals and guitarist Kenny (from alt band These Hills May Sway). The twinkling, atmospheric rendition is a reminder that where some celebrations may be loud and emphatic,o others may be toned down. “Through bullets and bombs, silence and storms; for everyone that isn’t celebrating this season this one goes out to you… Merry Christmas,” the artists say in their video description.
Sonu Nigam – “Ave Maria”
In case you’re if there’s something Sonu Nigam can’t do, there’s his stirring rendition of the Franz Schubert composition “Ave Maria,” giving the Christmas favorite his sublime spin. He says in a statement, “To honor Aadesh ji’s [Shrivastava, composer who passed away in 2015] vision, I decided to revive ‘Ave Maria.’ With the support of his son, Avitesh, I sourced the original tracks and then sought the help of my immensely talented musician brother Salim Merchant. Salim connected me to the Budapest Art Orchestra, which recorded the grand western orchestration for the song,” Nigam added. The track is orchestrated, arranged and produced by Anurag Saikia and Ishan Das, with Japjisingh Valecha credited as orchestrator.
Harish Budhwani – “Peeta Main”
Although not directly related to Christmas, singer-songwriter Harish Budhwani’s new song “Peeta Main” clearly stems from a familiar feeling in the holiday season – of loneliness, heartbreak and sadness. Budhwani raises a glass (or two) to that feeling of finding solace in his drink. It’s a bluesy, smoky jazz-informed Hindi song that adds new perspective.
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