Jackie Evancho - Someday At Christmas

54 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy Someday At Christmas here (Amazon UK)
Read my review of A Hollens Family Christmas (on which Jackie features) here

For those of you not in the know, Jackie Evancho is a classical-pop singer who shot to fame thanks to some breathtaking performances (and ultimately coming 2nd) on America's Got Talent. She's parlayed that launch pad into a successful global career, so much so that her latest album - Someday At Christmas - is already displayed next to Michael Buble at your local HMV here in the UK. It isn't Jackie's first foray into festive music; she's already delivered an EP (O Holy Night) and full album (Heavenly Christmas) - but Someday At Christmas is a glorious representation of a young artist who is maturing with each successive release. She's accompanied on her seasonal journey by some big names from the world of popera and demonstrates her ability as a gifted performer by having the confidence to let them shine on each track they appear. It is a lovely collection of songs that is likely to resonate long beyond the Yuletide weeks by providing the soundtrack to many memories yet to be created year after year.

The title track, Someday At Christmas, is the perfect choice to open the album with. One of my favourite Christmas songs, this Stevie Wonder standard is a musical prayer offered up in hopes of a better world that lies ahead. It is a great way to set the tone for the album as well as tackle something a little more pop than opera. Set to a lilting piano melody and elegiac cello, the arrangement accentuates the pathos and yearning of the lyrics. Jackie sings with a melancholy that is balanced with the very human need to cling to the optimistic hope of life. Her voice is flawless and gives a nuanced insight into the song that brings into very real focus for a 2016 audience. It is a beautiful dance between vocal and instruments, a stirring and mesmerising opening to this new collection. Next is Do You Hear What I Hear, complete with a shimmering, languorous extended introduction that allows the song to breathe itself into life before Jackie's sincere vocal takes centre stage. What works so well about this song is the emotions that Jackie conveys in her performance - she is both wide eyed story teller, reveling in the wonder of discovery, and humble observer, giving humility with every note. It is this expressive quality that enables a breathtaking performance alongside Placido Domingo on Guardian Angels. There is something theatrical about how the song is delivered, as if a lost festive scene depicting Eponine and Valjean from Les Miserables. A dramatic middle 8 instrumental strengthens this swirling, bold vibe before a suitably grandiose final denouement from the duetting vocalists. It is not a song I am familiar with, but one that has instantly left a lasting impression thanks to Ms Evancho and Mr Domingo. Little Drummer Boy uses the gradually crescendoing effect the song deserves to maximum effect. With a stark percussive backdrop, Jackie guides the melody forward with exquisite grace and military precision. The winter storm could be at its most ferocious around her and she would still have the steely resolve to deliver the heartfelt lyrics with an elegant poise. (In an alternate version of the song, she's joined by Il Volo who add a pleasing sense of texture and community to the performance).

Jackie brings as almost Disney'esque atmosphere to It Came Upon A Midnight Clear. It twinkles and sparkles like a star in the titular night sky and Jackie seems in her element in such a luminous setting. Delicate chimes and glistening strings gently nestle next to the vocal in yet another symbiotic pairing of the score and voice. She is back with Placido Domingo on the operatic standard, Pie Jesu. It may seem sacrilege to say in a review of this genre of music that it is not one of my preferred songs of choice, yet there is no denying that the two accomplished vocalists bring a sense of majesty and awe to the stately song. Also, the dreamlike production does enhance the vocals and makes for compelling listening. Consider this hold out fully converted! From here, Jackie moves to silver screen matinee heroine on a charming version of The Christmas Waltz. Her endearing singing evokes images of decorated trees and roaring fires, as the family gather around, united by the music after whatever hair brain adventures have sent the asunder. It is another demonstration of her maturity as a vocalist, sounding wise in the imparting of her knowledge and observations. I love a song that can elicit such strong visual connections - and this is one of the most vivid I have heard in a while. In fact, her next duet partner, Peter Hollens, is equally as gifted in delivering fully rounded performances - it is this serendipitous pairing that makes Hallelujah a definite stand out on an album full of them. It is the type of song that is associated with this time of year, yet can be enjoyed anytime. It is quite a dark song and both Jackie & Peter give aching performances fueled by angst, sorrow and the album theme of the slither of hope. Having the solo song as a duet also places it in a new light as a call and response, delivering lyrics from different perspectives. It requires multiple listens to appreciate every uncovered facet, but the perseverance brings hugely satisfying rewards (as does the a cappella backing vocals).

The Christmas Song is a tune that has been covered countless number of times. The trick is to try and find your own slightly unique way of presenting such an indelible festive number. Jackie chooses a more traditional, dignified reading of the song, though her voice does offer a soothing salve to those who require an edifying sustenance during this oft-chaotic time of year. It is actually a lovely companion piece to the album's closing number - a new interpretation of Judy Garland's Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (from Meet Me In St Louis). Both have a timeless gentility and warming nobility to the vocal performance that feels like the songs are travelling through the windows of time to give the listener a little bit of magic and sparkle. Both let Jackie's voice intertwine around the intricate chimes and bells, whilst the young lady herself does ample justice to words that have endured as the world changed around them. Glorious. That just leaves my favourite secular hymn, O Holy Night - where Jackie is joined by Vittorio Grigolo. Part of the reason I love this song is the emphatic nature of the story that is being told, and how powerfully it can be delivered by those gifted with songbird vocals. The gentle crescendo around the words "Fall on your knees" in this version is a perfect version of this - leaving the listener a little bit breathless in awe. It adds to a sterling collection of Christmas songs that provides a more classical take on old favourites. Bravo Ms Evancho.

**Ghosts of Christmas past**

• 1st November 2015 ~ Aaron Espe, Making All Things New
• 1st November 2014 ~ Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas (20th Anniversary)
• 1st November 2013 ~ Chris Mann, Home For Christmas