Sir Cliff Richard to release first Christmas album
LONDON - Sir Cliff Richard is set to release his first Christmas album in almost 20 years. The singer, (81), known for his hit Mistletoe and Wine, last released a festive soundtrack in 2003 called Cliff at Christmas.
But the star is now back with his latest yuletide offering, Christmas With Cliff, which will be released on November 25.
The album will feature Cliff’s takes on classic Christmas tracks including, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, ‘Joy To The World’ and ‘Sleigh Ride’. While the star has also recorded a selection of new original tracks for the album, with songs such as ‘First Christmas,’ Six Days After Christmas (Happy New Year) and ‘Heart Of Christmas.’ Cliff jetted off to Florida to record the album, with the hitmaker enlisting the help of Sam Hollander and Chris Walden to produce the compilation.
Discussing his new album in a statement, Cliff credited Sam and Chris for ‘guiding me through’ the songs, remarking that the album is ‘not just mine’, but a collective creative effort.
He said: ‘I have always loved being in recording studios ever since Studio 2, Abbey Road, in 1958.
‘‘I recorded this album in Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida - 4,427 miles away from Abbey Road - and once again I felt that I was in a world of my own. I had the help of two producers, Sam Hollander and Chris Walden.
‘‘They guided me through the ‘well known’ Christmas songs and freed me to sing them my way. ‘They had differing approaches to the songs that
I asked them to produce for me, and they gave this album the dynamics that I had hoped for.’
The Summer Holiday hitmaker added: ‘‘This album is not just mine - it belongs to all of us involved in creating it, and I hope that we add a little something special to your Christmas season.’’
As well as Cliff at Christmas 19 years ago, the star has released Together With Cliff Richard in 1991.
While Cliff has had four UK Christmas No.1 singles over the years, two of which as a as a solo artist with Mistletoe and Wine and Saviour’s Day.
It comes after the news that Sir Cliff’s calendar is set to be next year’s best